Chapter 5

Tonight was the night that Christian and Jericho challenged Batista for the Intercontinental Title. Batista had a lot riding on this match, as did Christian. Jericho, well, he was just a third wheel in all of this as far as Batista was concerned and Christian got his thrills out of tormenting him. But this match was really about one thing and one thing only, Trish Stratus.

Christian sat in his dressing room thinking about the deal he had made with Batista. Actually he thought about the deal non-stop since making it. Why he even agreed to it, he will never know. He already had his title shot but when the big guy confronted him, he couldn't back down. If he had done so, Batista would think that he was afraid of him. He was confident that if he could just keep Batista out of the ring then he would have no problem defeating Jericho and taking the Intercontinental Title.

However, if Tomko couldn't get the job done then he would lose Trish Stratus forever. It wasn't that he even cared about her. He only used her to get even with Jericho and she was great in the sack. That part he knew he would miss about her. The blonde vixen really knew how to please him in every way but she was more trouble than she was worth and losing her wouldn't be such a big loss.

Besides he was sure that Evolution would just use her as their own personal sex slave and before long she would be begging to come back to him. If that didn't work, he could still use his knowledge of her past against her. His options were endless. Before long he would have the title, the girl and he would be on top of the world.

Dave sat in his dressing room preparing for his match. If he didn't win tonight, he would feel like a failure. Not because he would be losing the title but because he would be letting Trish down. The title was nice to have but if he couldn't help the girl, he was nothing.

Ric had told Dave about Trish's situation and what his suspicions were. Since then that was all that he could think about. Christian was one devious son of a bitch to hold something over her head like that, treating her like his own personal slave. It didn't even matter to him what the secret was, nothing would stop him from caring about her. She managed to reel him in without him even knowing it and now he is caught under her spell. There was no turning back now.

Dave was broken out of his reverie by a knock on the door. He hoped that it was Trish but figured that Christian wouldn't let her out of his sight for even a second. When he opened the door he was shocked by who he found standing on the other side.

"Tomko?" "What the hell are you doing here," his tone very serious.

"Can I come in? I promise that you will want to hear what I have to say."

Dave didn't know what Christian's "Problem Solver" wanted but he was definitely curious over what he came to say. He moved to the side allowing Tyson to enter and checked both directions to be sure that he wasn't going to be ambushed by Christian.

After closing the door, he eyed Tyson suspiciously. He definitely had his guard up but by the defeated look on his face he was pretty sure that he didn't come to see him to pick a fight.
Dave straddled the arm of the couch giving Tyson his full attention.

"Well, say what you came to say man. I am listening."

Tyson closed his eyes in deep thought, trying to find the best way to word this without setting the Big Man off.

"Listen man, I know what you are trying to do as far as Trish is concerned and I want to help."

Dave was taken aback by his admission. Did he really want to betray his "boss"? Was he really being on the level?

"How would you know what I am trying to do," Dave challenged. And why do you want to help me?"

"Dave I know that you have every right in the world not to trust me but believe me when I say, I want to help Trish any way that I can. The only problem is, I can't let Christian find out. I need this job man and as much as I care about Trish, I love my wife and newborn baby more."

Dave listened intently as Tyson appeared to show some compassion for somebody other than himself or Christian. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

"Well what did you have in mind," Dave questioned, giving Tyson his full attention.

"In less than 20 minutes the two of you will be in a match. He wants me to take you out so that he can have Jericho to himself. He wants to destroy Chris and in the process, get the title. I don't think he really cares about Trish either way but he is hell bent on getting that IC Title. Trish is just a pawn to him that he uses to get what he wants. I can see that you care about her or else I wouldn't have come here. Now I was thinking that we could work something out where it looks like I am going to hit you but accidentally taking Christian out instead. Then you will win the match and get that sweet woman out of Christian's clutches. So what do you say?"

Dave liked what he was hearing. He was pretty sure that he could beat both Christian and Chris but he really didn't want to take any chances. It did sound like an excellent idea and he could use all the help he could get. There was no way he was going to allow Christian to hurt Trish any longer.

"You got yourself a deal man."

Both men shook to make it final.

Meanwhile, Trish had been running some errands for Christian before his match. Not only was she expected to please him in every way in the bedroom but she was also his personal errand girl.

She walked down the hallway at a quickened pace hoping that she made it back in time for his match. If she was late, he would have her head, even if it wasn't her fault. Traffic was a bitch on the way back and she barely had a few minutes to spare.

She rounded the corner and walked directly into what felt like a brick wall. Her bags went flying everywhere and she landed flat on her ass.

"You know princess, you really need to start watching where you are going and we must stop meeting like this. Although I do have to say it is nice to not have dressing all over me."

Trish wasn't sure if he was joking or not until she looked up to see him smiling. However she apologized just the same.

"Hunter, I really am sorry, I know I am just a big klutz."

Hunter extended his hand to the beautiful Canadian, helping her up from the floor.

"Sweetheart, it is quite alright. Don't you worry about The H, I am a big boy and I barely felt anything. I am just concerned about you. Are you okay? You did hit me pretty hard."

Trish didn't know what she ever did to deserve his kindness but she was definitely thankful for it. She figured that it had something to do with Ric and possibly Dave. Nevertheless, she was happy that he didn't blow up at her this time. Hunter wasn't someone you wanted to piss off and she really didn't want to be on his bad side.

"I am fine Hunter and I just want to say…"

Trish looked down at her watch realizing that she was about to get into some serious trouble. She was already one minute late and she was sure that Christian was going to kill her.

"Oh Shit, I have to go Hunter thanks for understanding."

Trish grabbed her things and started to run down the hall to her destination leaving a very puzzled Hunter to wonder.

Trish entered the room slowly, taking a peak around the door to see if Christian was anywhere in sight. Luckily, he didn't seem to be around so she snuck into the room and began putting his things away.

"Where the hell were you," he screamed, grabbing her by the arm.

Trish was startled by his voice and wondered if he had been stalking her from the corner. Just waiting for her to screw up.

"You know," he began as he shoved her into the wall, "you are a lucky little Bitch tonight." "We have to head out to ringside right now for my match or else you would get it good."

Trish tried to swallow but his hand on her neck made it hard to do so. He held the pressure on her neck for a moment longer before releasing her.

"Let's go," he ordered.

"Tomko!"

The three of them waited in gorilla position until Christian's music hit. While making their way down to ringside, Christian mocked the crowd a bit, then made eye contact with Jericho and then Batista. He warned them both that he would have that belt around his waist before the night was over.

As Christian entered the ring, Batista attacked him from behind and sent him to the arena floor. Chris Jericho then attacked Batista and the two went at it. Chris laid into Batista with some hard chops and right hands in the corner until Batista shoved Jericho down to the mat with force. Chris hopped right back up and continued to go at it with Batista.

Batista went for the power bomb on Jericho but Christian got in the ring and hit Batista with a chop block to send him down to the mat. Christian then stomped away on Batista and then he lifted him up in the corner and gave him some right hands until Batista whipped Christian into the turnbuckle on the other side of the ring, knocking him to the ground.

Christian went to the second rope and jumped off at Batista but Batista kicked him in the gut then gave him a spinebuster. Batista went off the ropes but Chris gave him an Enziguri, knocking him down to the mat. Christian recovered and picked Batista up, throwing him to the outside of the ring.

Jericho hit Christian with a high cross body and Christian rolled through and used the ropes for leverage to get a two count. Moments later, Chris Jericho put Christian in the Walls of Jericho with Christian fighting to get to the ropes.

Christian was close to tapping out and he couldn't get to the ropes but Batista got into the ring in time to nail Jericho in the back of the head with a clothesline. Batista then whipped Jericho into the steel ring post. Then he threw him out of the ring. Batista went for a clothesline on Christian but Christian ducked it and gave Batista a DDT.

Christian signaled for Tomko to get the chair and for Trish to distract the referee. Trish got up on the apron and started yelling at the ref. Tomko grabbed the chair and waited for Christian to throw Batista towards the ropes so he could nail him in the head.

Christian picked Batista up off of the mat and tried to whip him towards Tomko but Batista reversed it, sending Christian flying into the steel chair, knocking him out cold. The plan worked out better than Tomko had hoped. Christian actually screwed up all on his own.

Batista dragged Christian into the middle of the ring and covered him. Trish jumped back off the ring apron and yelled for the referee to pay attention to the match. The referee dropped to the mat for the three count.

Lillian picked up her microphone and announced the winner of the match.

"Here is your winner and still Intercontinental Champion, BA..TISTA! Also, according to the special stipulation in this match, Batista wins the services of Miss Trish Stratus."

Batista felt a huge weight being lifted off of his chest. He gave a quick nod to Tomko, thanking him for his assistance.

Trish was so excited that Batista had won. She ran over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you so much Dave. You have no idea what a life saver you truly are."

Dave pulled her in closer to him for a hug, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame.

"It's my pleasure darling. You don't have to worry about him anymore. You are safe now."

Trish believed every word that came from his mouth. She did feel safe in his arms. He was her knight in shining armor and he rescued her from the "Creepy Little Bastard". She would forever be indebted to him.

"Can you take me home Dave?"

"Sure thing sweetie."

Dave winked at her before picking up his belt and holding it high above his head in celebration. He took Trish's hand and placed it in his as they walked up the ramp together. Trish didn't know what her future held but she did know that she wanted Dave in it. Whether it was just as friends or something more remained to be seen.