Torment of Tantalus

Chapter 4

Chris Jericho had knocked on Stephanie's hotel room door, knowing that she wouldn't be willing to apologize. And when she had surprisingly agreed to go to the movies with him, but declined the dinner—through the closed door, he added in his head, instantly knowing how much of a retard he must've looked like—he had positively known that there was something up her sleeve. Nonetheless, Stephanie had met him in the lobby, looking drop-dead gorgeous in the simple jeans and clingy shirt she was wearing. Stephanie had smiled at him as she batted her eyelashes, and Chris knew he had lost…which was exactly why he had been forced into the two hour torture of "Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason".

For the first twenty minutes—of previews—Chris had occupied himself with wondering if this was just punishment toward him for being "unsupportive" of her choice. It couldn't be possible that Stephanie would actually want to see this movie! The thought of her wanting to see the movie sent a shiver down his spine. After the movie had lamely articulated what had happened in the movie before it—thank God Stephanie hadn't dragged him to that one—the blond Canadian had preoccupied himself with conspicuously flicking popcorn kernels at the people below them. However, the fun wore off quickly. For one, there were understandably little people there, and for two, he was a considerate man. After all, the brunette woman with that bush of hair two rows ahead would have a hard time picking out the sixty-two kernels that were lost in the frizz. Plus, the big guy by the aisle looked like a mobster trying to access his feminine side. There was nothing feminine about the glare Chris had received from him after a particularly satisfying shot to the ear, however. Sometime during his escapade, Stephanie had looked at him and giggled, then smacked him lightly and told him to stop it. Chris had rolled his eyes, but stopped. The popcorn was almost gone, anyway.

At the current moment, Jericho was studying the ring on her left hand, sparkling in the dark light from the screen. What was it, he wondered, that Hunter had that he, the King of the World, didn't? Well, besides the absurdly huge nose, he added. What was it that Stephanie saw in Triple Nose? 'I'll have to up her prescription on her glasses,' Chris thought to himself. 'I thought she had more taste than that.'

Stephanie's face suddenly lit up with happiness from something on the screen. Chris's eyes fell on her face, and he smiled sadly. She was so beautiful when she smiled… He had told her that once before, and she had simply denied it. That was part of her charm: she never thought she was prettier than the next girl. 'You're not just pretty…you're beautiful,' Chris thought, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her face. 'Pretty is on the outside, beautiful is on the inside…' it was entirely overused and clichéd, but the words struck home tonight.

Stephanie McMahon… God help him, he wasn't just infatuated with her; he loved her. She was far from perfect: a welcome change from the flat, boring women obsessed with the concept of perfect. Perfect didn't exist. That was a proven law, it had to be. But when he thought of the people he could see himself with for the rest of his life, Stephanie became freakishly close to being perfect for his wife. 'What has gotten into me?' Chris wondered, 'I'm thinking about marriage! I'm not getting older,' he added the last thought quickly.

His thoughts taking on a romantic spur—and the rest that didn't go on it wondering what the hell he'd eaten that morning—he realized that now he had an ideal chance to get one up on Hunter. They were nearly alone in a movie theatre, after all. Okay, so maybe a bloody, gut-wrenching flick would've worked more to his standards, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

For a moment, Chris struggled with himself. There was one side of him that said he should just go for it—but he didn't want to end up hurting her in any way. He rolled his eyes, telling the humbler part of him to shut up, and wrapped his arm casually around Stephanie's shoulders. Stephanie glanced at him, smiled, and then returned her eyes to the movie. Chris settled comfortably into his new position, trying to hold his grin.

'She's going back to have dinner with Hunter,' Chris thought silently. 'But I'm not going to let that loser ruin my plans. After she comes back, I'll find her and show her what she's missing.' He smiled mischievously. 'I mean, honestly. Trips wouldn't do anything wrong, lest his lips be torn from Vince's ass.' His grin was still in place when the movie ended.

Hunter might have Stephanie now, but in the end, Chris would get her…like it or not.

"What are you grinning at?" Stephanie whispered.

His smile widened. "Nothing."

Triple H mindlessly flipped from channel to channel, his eyes on the television screen in front of him. His mind, however, was focused on anything but the images dancing across the screen. Currently occupying his thoughts was Chris Jericho. Chris Jericho, the single man who had the potential to ruin his plans for the future. Hunter frowned. 'I can't risk having her having around him,' he thought sourly. She had told him her plans to go to the movies with him tonight—just as Chris said she would—but promised to return in time for them to go to dinner when he protested. 'I have to stop her from seeing him… I'll forbid her from seeing him.'

Stephanie wouldn't be pleased. 'I'll work with her gradually… Chris is bound to screw up; he always does… And when he does, I'll get my chance. There is no way in hell that Chris Jericho is going to ruin my plans.'

'Jericho thinks he can steal Stephanie away from me,' he thought angrily, but forced his mouth into a smile. If things went his way, Stephanie's allegiance wouldn't even be in question. 'Jericho thinks he's better than me… Well, then, let the games begin…'

Author's Note: Hmm… A little different than usual, I admit, but I hope you guys liked! Guess what? First snow of the year here! We have about two or three inches on the ground! :) It's awesome! Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed and please keep them coming!