Torment of Tantalus

Chapter 7

"What the hell is this?!" Stephanie looked up from her compact mirror at her husband. She was walking a good five feet behind him, double-checking her amply curled and fluffed hair in the mirror.

"What?" she asked, making a face behind his back. He had made a point of having her ride with him today when he knew full well she had planned on riding with Chris. Stephanie wasn't angry at him, per say, she was just mildly irritated. Irritated or not, it took a hell of a lot of skill to keep from bursting out laughing when she walked ahead and saw Hunter furiously ripping wrapping paper off of a car. "Omigod," she said, and shut her mouth. 'It was Hunter's car!' Stephanie's shoulders shook with silent laughter. She couldn't help it.

"I'll kill the bastard that did this!" Hunter growled upon reveal of his brand-new Mona Lisa. Stephanie put on a horrified look when her fiancé looked at her. Inwardly, she swore her eyes were going to bulge out if she had to hold her laughs in any longer. Triple H turned back to the car, kicking at the 'Pansy Ass' license plate on the front of the car and following it up with a long string of curse words.

Still trying to hold in the laughter, lest Hunter turn his fury toward her, Stephanie turned her head down the sidewalk and nearly gasped. Chris Jericho was walking toward her in his usual attire of jeans and a shirt, his shades pushed up to cover his eyes, not that it hid his identity very well. "Mornin' Steph," he said casually, casting a look over toward Hunter, a corner of his lips upturning. Stephanie sent him a death glare that clearly told him that he should've told her first, but Chris was completely ignoring her.

Hunter turned around, catching sight of Chris. In a quick movement, he lunged at the other man, grabbing his back arm and throwing him into the car hood chest first. Hunter had Chris's arm twisted behind his back and was leaning on it, squishing Chris between him and the car. Stephanie took a few steps toward the two. "Hunter!" she snapped. "What the hell are you doing?" her voice was full of tension. Hunter ignored her, his attention on Chris.

"What the fuck is your deal, Jericho?" he hissed.

Chris shifted his head, attempting to find a comfortable place, not bothered by the exchange and looking quite calm which only infuriated Hunter further. "Whatever do you mean, Triple Nose?"

"You did this to my car," Hunter hissed.

"Let him go, Hunter!" Stephanie yelled, her voice on the edge of shrieking.

"Why don't you listen to the lovely lady and let me go?" Chris prompted and Hunter shoved him against the car again.

"Shut up!" he yelled and Chris rolled his eyes. Stephanie walked purposefully toward Hunter, standing directly behind him.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch about it, H," Chris drawled.

Hunter jerked his arm back, going to hit Chris, but instead elbowing Stephanie in the nose. She yelped, stumbling backwards before she fell butt-first onto the pavement, the skin on her hands tearing from attempting to catch herself. "Shit," Hunter breathed, turning around, dropping his hold on Chris. Chris shoved off from the car and immediately looked at Stephanie. "Baby, are you okay?" Hunter stepped toward Stephanie, his arms reaching out to encircle her.

Stephanie scooted backward, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Don't…touch…me," she hissed, holding the bridge of her nose gently.

"Honey, I didn't mean it…" Hunter pleaded.

"And I suppose you didn't mean to ignore me when I was yelling at you to stop, huh?" Stephanie snapped as she stood up. "Forget it Hunter! You're such an ass sometimes."

"I'm sorry, Steph…"

"Yeah, I'm sure you are," Stephanie growled. "Just…go. I'm not riding with you."

Hunter sighed, knowing he was defeated. "I'll call you a cab."

"No thanks," Stephanie shot, her upper lip curled. "You've already done enough," she told him icily and turned on her heel, headed back to the hotel.

Chris and Hunter watched her storm back. Jericho looked over at Hunter and smirked. "Way to go, assclown," he told him and strolled after Stephanie. He stopped after a few steps and looked back at the other man. "Enjoy the car ride," he said before continuing on his way, leaving a fuming Hunter behind.

Chris smiled as he pushed the door open to go into the hotel. It wasn't that he was glad Stephanie got hurt—he'd be lying if he said his heart hadn't done double-time when he heard her yelp—but Hunter had screwed up big time. Stephanie had morphed into The Bitch, which generally took a lot to get her into these days. The grin wouldn't leave his face even as he headed into the hotel cafeteria where he knew Stephanie would be.

The fates were finally tipping in his direction.

Author's Note: Sorry about the short chapter, I was originally going to add a lot to where I left off, but I'll save that for next chapter. I really wanted to add something before I leave for my ski trip so here it is! I hope you guys like it! Happy New Year and please review!