Chris,
I had to run, but don't worry, I'll be back in time for the show. In the meantime, this is what I want you to do for me. And it had all better be done by the time I get there, or I swear there will be hell to pay.. but if everything is done, then I have a reward waiting for you later tonight.
And no you perv, it's not what you're thinking.
Anyways, here's the list:
1. The Rock is going to be here tonight. Yes, I know you're not exactly jumping for joy, but he's asked for different flavored pies.. your guess is as good as mine here, but I told him I would take care of it. So get the pies. Shoot for maybe 10 different flavors.
2. Randy and Hunter. Don't let them get near each other before the show starts. I don't care what you do, or how you do it, just don't let them kill each other.
3. The wedding is tonight. We need flowers. The theme is white. Get on that.
4. I went shopping earlier today. I left my bags in my limo, which is still out in the parking lot. Bring all those bags in.
5. I'm running low on my hand lotion.. I'm sure you remember what kind I need, right? Fantastic! Get on that too.
6. Do not lose this list. Yes, I know, seems weird, but I don't care. Just don't lose it.
I'm sure you won't have any problems. You should have enough time.
See you later tonight,
Steph
He sat on a chair in his locker room, his elbows on his knees, his chin resting in his hands as he gazed at the sheet of paper laying on the bench in front of him. Why did he have to agree to that stupid bet, he wondered, before sighing. He hated to follow the list, but he had to.
He also couldn't help but wonder what the reward in the end would be. Sighing again, he got up and snatched the list.
The things I do for that woman.
Ten minutes later, he was cursing under his breath as he struggled to enter the arena again while carrying all of Stephanie's bags from her limo. He had figured that it would be the easiest thing to do and get out of the way, until he saw just how much shopping that woman had done. He was thoroughly convinced that she had deliberately gone on her little shopping spree so she could do this to him (he was actually right). His hands felt like they were about to fall off as he took one agonizing step after another.
He refused to believe that he didn't have the strength to carry a woman's shopping load in one shot, and his ego wouldn't let him take in a few bags at a time, so on he marched, holding some of the bags by the handles, and holding some against him with his arms.
Red-faced and slightly out of breath, he made it back to her locker room in one piece. After dropping all the bags on her floor, he smirked to himself as he pulled out her list and crossed off # 4. This was going to be too easy, he thought to himself smugly.
Four hours later, Chris Jericho looked proudly at the list, truly feeling a sense of accomplishment. He had bought The Rock's stupid pies without a sweat, all ten of them. He had even ordered the flowers for the wedding. He only hoped she would like them.
Hell, he had even bought her the hand lotion.
He was wondering if she was going to pay him back for all his troubles when a loud voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You know you ain't nothing without Evolution, boy! That belt only has one owner, whoo! And his name.. is Triple H! Whoo!"
"Yeah, well I'm the one holding the belt now aren't I?"
"You little punk, you listen here, you're lucky that H said to wait for him, otherwise me and Dave here would --"
"Do absolutely nothing." Chris interrupted, as he stepped up to the three men. Randy gave him a look of surprise, but the Canadian ignored him as he turned his attention to Ric Flair and Batista.
"This ain't about you, Jericho." Flair said warningly, while Batista glared at Chris, who just shrugged.
"You're right, it isn't. It's about the kid." He motioned to Randy. "He's got things to do, seeing as he's champion and all, and hanging around with you jackasses isn't going to help his reputation. So let's go Randy, you wouldn't want to be late, now would you?"
The young man looked at him, confused. "Late for what?"
Chris looked at him like he was stupid. "Late for your autograph signings, genius. I was sent to get you. Don't worry," He said, seeing the looks from Evolution, "You guys want a piece of him, the show is going to start in about an hour. I'm sure even you assclowns can wait."
"You just wait boy," Flair said, glaring at Randy, "You just wait til later tonight."
Chris rolled his eyes. "Let's go, junior." He said, as he walked away from Flair and Batista, Randy on his heels. As soon as Evolution was out of earshot, he turned and sneered at Randy.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked, his eyes narrowing angrily. Randy just looked at him, even more confused than he was earlier.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, earning a look of disgust from Chris.
"What were you doing talking to them? You eager to get your ass beat two weeks in a row, is that it?"
"But --"
"I just saved your ass kid. Don't fool yourself into thinking Triple H isn't around, cause the man is like a cockroach. He's everywhere you don't want him to be, and even if he's not around, you're a fool to think you can take on Flair and Batista by yourself."
Randy looked at Chris partly in disbelief, and partly in admiration. He quickly got a hold of himself and his cocky demeanor came back.
"I can take on anyone. I'm a legend killer." He said smugly.
"Yeah, and I'm Santa." Chris snickered. "You need to watch your back because, and I hate to be the one to break this to you kid, but you're on your own now. Evolution isn't there anymore to save you, and when you're a loner, you need to pick your fights wisely."
And with that, he spun around on his heel and walked back to his locker room, pleased that he had accomplished yet another one of Stephanie's objectives. He was so busy praising himself, that he didn't notice the folded piece of paper slip out of his pocket when he turned from Randy.
The young champion, however, did notice.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Matt's gonna go out there. He's not going to be able to stand it, trust me."
"I just don't want to go through this, Chris."
"I know.. but hey, things work out in the end." He said reassuringly. "Hey, I bought you something."
"What?" She said, finally turning to face him. He just smirked.
"Well, I heard it's gonna be a white wedding, and the whole theme is white and whatnot. But hey.. who says everything has to be white?" He laughed when he saw her look.
"Chris.."
"I was out shopping earlier for the princess, so I picked you up a different outfit.. it's in your locker room, if you want to wear it."
She smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks. So.. how's it going with Steph?"
"It's going great, actually. I did everything she wanted me to do tonight. I don't care what Kane says, you're still going to help me, damn it."
She laughed, the first time that night. "I heard she got here a few minutes ago, you should go look for her."
"Excuse me then, my future girlfriend awaits."
He stood next to her, his arms crossed over his chest, his ever-present arrogant look on his face as he looked at the flowers that he had ordered for the wedding. Of course, Chris was busy checking her out out of the corner of his eye.
Nonchalantly, of course.
"Wow Chris.. you came through."
"For you Princess, anything." He said as charmingly as he could.
Stephanie smirked. "So, where's the list?"
"That was the easiest thing you put on there.." He snickered. "It's right.." He tried not to show any panic, but it wasn't in his pocket. He frowned a little as she looked at him.
"You do have it, don't you?"
"Yeah, yeah.. oh, I forgot, I left it in my locker room." He made up on the spot, as he tried to remember just where in the hell he had last put the list.
She laughed out loud. "You lost it, didn't you?"
"No I didn't!"
"Yes, you did. I can tell."
"Stephanie, I didn't lose the damn list. It said on the list not to lose the list!"
"But you lost it anyways! So you didn't follow the list, even though that's what the list said, cause you lost it altogether."
"I did not lose it." He snarled. "I misplaced it."
"You lost it."
"Oh my God Stephanie, I'm telling you, I didn't."
"You lost it."
"I'M TELLING YOU --"
"That you lost it."
"Yeah, I lost it." He mumbled, finally giving up.
"I think hell just froze over, because I could've sworn you just agreed with me." She said, laughing. "It's no big deal Chris, you lost it.. so what? You did everything else on the list, the more important things, so don't worry about it."
"Well, I'll tell you what I didn't lose."
"What's that?"
"This." He pulled out a small daisy out of his shirt pocket and handed it over to her.
She was genuinely shocked, and for once, no smart comment came to mind. Reaching out, she took the small flower from him.
"Thanks, Chris." She said, not knowing what else to say.
"Anytime.. I believe I was promised a reward for tonight?"
That brought Stephanie out of it. "Oh yeah, that's right.. you've got Edge tonight for the Intercontinental title. Now if you don't mind, I have to take care of some things which unfortunately, I can't make you do for me."
"Well, if you need anything else, you know where I'm at."
"If I need anything else, you're the first person I'll find." She said, surprised at how sweet he was being.
"Oh, and Steph?" She looked back up at him, where he was almost out the door. His smirk slowly crept back. "I do mean anything, baby." He winked at her.
"Get the hell out of here, Jericho."
Score 1 for The King of the World, baby!
Nothing could destroy his good mood, not even losing to stupid-ass Edge again. Well technically he did win, but he didn't consider it a win, especially not when Edge was still prancing around with his title belt. But he was making nice progress with Stephanie, and he was going to make her his, no matter what it took.
"Hey Chris!" He heard a familiar voice call out. He stopped his arrogant strut and frowned, trying to place the voice. He looked over his shoulder and saw a tall young man jogging over to him, a golden belt over one shoulder. He turned to face him as he gave him a curious look.
"What do you want now, junior?"
"You dropped this earlier." Randy said, handing Chris a piece of paper he knew all too well.
Chris's eyes flashed with anger when he saw the list that he had been arguing with Stephanie about not even five minutes ago. So much for his good mood, he thought bitterly. He didn't know if it was that Randy had waited to give the list back to him, or that he had read it, but he was now pissed. He growled and snatched the list out of his hand.
"You should've given this back as soon as you saw that I dropped it, kid." He said in a low and dangerous voice. Randy didn't catch it though, and just shrugged.
"So what's going on between you and Stephanie? Does she always give you lists like that or what?"
Chris snorted, and decided that the young man in front of him was not worth his time. Turning around, he started to walk away, only to hear the champ's footsteps behind him.
"I mean, I'm sorry I didn't give it back sooner, I should've, but I was just curious. I thought you two didn't even talk any --"
Chris turned and glared at Randy, cutting him off. "This is none of your business, Orton, so shut the hell up and stay out of it."
"Out of what?" He said, earning another "did your mother drop you on your head?" look from Chris. Realization suddenly dawned upon the new champion as he smirked. "Ohhh.. I get it.. you like her, don't you?"
Chris blinked, and then scowled at Randy, before turning and walking away again. Randy snickered, having caught the light blush that rushed to the Canadian's face at his accusation.
"Chris, come on, wait up."
"Fine!" Chris nearly shouted, as he stopped walking. "Fine. Yes, I do like her. Why?" He turned to face Randy again. "Do you?"
"Well she is beautiful.. but no. I always figured you had a thing for her though."
"So people tell me." Chris mumbled.
"So what's going on? You ask her out or what, man?" Randy asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He couldn't help it.
Chris didn't feel like telling him about her blatant rejection of his proposal to go out with him, so he just scowled and shook his head. Randy's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You should ask her out!"
Chris frowned at him. "Don't you have more important things to do, kid? I could've sworn I heard Trips calling you out about a minute ago."
At that, Randy frowned. "Yeah, I guess I should go out there." He turned and walked away, disappointed. He didn't have any friends left after his less-than-graceful leave from Evolution, and he sighed as he realized that Chris was right. He was now a loner and had to look out for himself.
"Hey Orton!" Chris called out after him. Randy looked at him over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. Chris scowled at him. "You better not give Triple H that belt back, or I'll kick your ass myself."
Randy smirked a little. "Alright, I won't."
"So, how did Lita get that black dress?"
"I love how you just assume that I know."
"Oh, I know that you know. Hence me asking."
He just laughed as he walked with her out into the parking lot, carrying her bags in his hand. They got to her limo and he opened the trunk, throwing her bags inside.
"All done." He smirked, catching her glare. "If you must know, it was me that gave her the dress. Satisfied?"
"Hmph." She went to open the door, but he beat her to it. She gave him a look. "Chris, the night's over. You don't have to keep doing everything for me."
"I know, but hey, I'm a nice guy, remember?" He winked at her and she shook her head. "So Stephanie.. whatcha doing next week after the show?"
"Why?" She asked, not catching his tone as she looked at her watch. She looked up, surprised, when he started leaning towards her.
"Oh, you know.. I was thinking maybe we could.." He raised an eyebrow suggestively. "You know, catch a movie or something." He shrugged.
"Chris.." She started uncomfortably.
"Hey, maybe that's too fast. How about some dinner and we can just talk?" She sighed, and so he kept going. "Lunch maybe?" He said, trying not to sound too pleading.
Something?
"Chris.. I'm flattered, but I'm seeing someone right now."
".. Oh."
Ouch.
"Yeah.. we've been going out for a few months now."
He nodded, using every bit of self-discipline he had to maintain his cool, ignoring the huge disappointment he was feeling inside. "Well.. that's good. That's great. That's.. really good to hear."
"I'm glad we got that out before anyone got hurt."
"Right, I agree. Well then.. you should bring him by next week so we can meet him." The words tumbled out of his mouth, even though his mind was screaming at him to shut up.
She smiled a little. "Yeah, maybe I'll do that."
"What's his name?" He asked before he could stop himself.
"Al."
"Al?"
"Yes.. Al."
".. Al?" She's choosing a guy named Al over me? He thought in disbelief.
She frowned a little. "Yes, Chris, that's his name. If you don't mind, I have to go. Sorry you lost your match, better luck next time."
"Yeah.." He said absent-mindedly, still thinking about the name of her boyfriend. He sounded like a loser.
"See you next week?" Stephanie said, snapping him out of it. He nodded and smirked.
"Always, princess."
She matched his smirk and got into the limo, and then, she was gone. He stood and watched as the limo disappeared, and then stayed for a while even after it was gone. He didn't even feel the young man approach him from behind.
"So, did you ask her?" A voice asked, startling Chris. He turned around to see a curious young champion standing behind him.
"You should watch who you sneak up on, kid." Chris said, scowling.
"I take that as a no." Randy said knowingly.
"She has a boyfriend." Chris stated, his scowl growing. "And his name is Al."
"What does his name have to do with it?"
"Al.. What kind of name is that? That has got to be the lamest name I've ever heard."
"You saying Al Capone had a lame name?"
"That, my young ignorant friend, was short for Alfonse or something like that." With that, Chris started off back towards the arena, Randy once again following him. "I can't believe she's going out with some moron named.. Al."
"Ah you're just jealous that she's taken." Randy said, laughing; he stopped cold when he saw the look of death that Chris gave him, not wanting to lose the only person even close to a friend that he had. "Sorry." He mumbled. "So now what?"
"What do you mean now what?" Chris snarled. "She's taken; what the hell do you want me to do? Beat the crap out of her boyfriend?" He paused. "Actually.." He started, smirking.
"I think you should still go after her."
The Canadian stopped walking and stared at his young friend. So young and naiive, so arrogant, so.. so much like him, he suddenly realized. He looked at Randy curiously.
"What are you proposing, kid?"
Randy shrugged, before smirking.
"A little competition never hurt anybody."