Chapter 14

When John arrived the following week for Raw, he was already not looking forward to the event. Even though he was drunker than he had been in a long time, John will never forget seeing that damn black Range Rover parked outside of Lita's condo. For John the past week was spent asking himself why. Why did he have to be such a jerk the last time he saw Lita at the hotel? Why was Shane at her apartment? Why did he care so much about her after all the baggage she brought with her? Why, why why? The words screamed into his brain. As a result, he let his anger burn deeper inside of him by the day. It was either that or drink himself to death. He was a wrestler though, he decided that anger would probably be the better option.

"John, you're late. You know our policy on tardiness." Stephanie said as she saw John arrive.

"So fine me." John responded nonchalantly. He had just about enough of the entire McMahon family.

"I don't want to fine you John, that's why I'm giving you a warning now." Stephanie said softly. She really did have John's best interest at heart and knew that if Vince had been the once who caught him strolling in a half hour late he would have been fined right on the spot, no questions asked.

"Thanks." John said and kept walking.

As John was leaving, Shane approached Stephanie.

"I see John finally decided to show up. I guess being The Champ is starting to go to his head." Shane smirked.

The more John screwed up, the more Shane loved it. He wanted nothing more than to prove to Stephanie that he was not the future of the WWE as his sister hoped and intended him to be. Shane continued.

"Maybe I should have a talk with him. Remind him of the rules." Shane said and started to walk off.

Stephanie grabbed his arm before he could leave.

"Wait a second big brother. First of all I don't want you ruffling John's feathers right now. I'm concerned about him, he doesn't need you in his face. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about changing the card tonight and giving him the night off." Stephanie said.

"That's bull shit Steph. I had a cage match planned for him and dad already approved it. You can't do that." Shane pouted like a ten year old.

Stephanie had heard enough. She was sick and tired of the way Shane had been acting and she wanted to get down to the bottom of it once and for all. Not only was whatever he was doing hurting John, but now Lita was involved in some way or the other. She just didn't quite know how yet.

Stephanie looked around and then quietly said in a controlled tone.

"Shane, we need to talk. Now!"

Shane's eyes lit up. It was obvious Stephanie was pissed. As the McMahon smirk crossed his lips, Stephanie grabbed him roughly by the arm and pulled him to her office.

OOooooooOOOOOOOooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOO

As John made his way through the backstage area he stopped as soon as he saw Lita. There she was, still in street clothes looking more beautiful than ever. But, behind the beauty lie a sadness John couldn't ignore. He noticed the fake smile she tried to force on he lips as her and some of the other divas stood there talking. It's not like she had necessarily been known to have a bubbly personality to begin with, hers was more warmth than sparkle, but even the warmness was now gone. If there was ever a time that Lita needed John to approach her and tell her that things would be alright, it was now.

John stood by though watching from a distance. He remembered back to when they were just about to make love. How his hands had touched her body. How her breaths begged him for more. He imagined himself kissing her lips and tasting her sweetness. But there she was, still a mystery to John.

"Hey man, you better get dressed." John turned to see Shawn Michaels. "You're cutting the first promo tonight."

John nodded to Shawn.

"Yeah, thanks bro." He responded as Shawn left.

When John turned back to Lita she was gone. He cursed himself for the way things felt. Everything was strange now. For all he knew Lita hated him. She hated him so much that she would actually turn to the one man that would prove to be nothing but poison. A man that had simply bought his way into her heart. How could she, he asked himself. How could she let Shane McMahon into her home? John desperately needed answers and whether Lita liked it or not, he would get them.

ooOOOOOOOOoooOOOooooooooo

"Okay Steph. What is it?" Shane asked

"Something's going on with John and Lita and you have something to do with it. I want to know what it is." Stephanie demanded.

Shane raised his hands innocently.

"Whoa, what makes you think I have anything to do with it? All I know is their little fling was a disruption in the locker room and I've put an end to it. You should be thanking me Steph." Shane replied.

"Yeah Shane, why don't you worry about putting an end to your own flings and stop muddling into people's personal lives. I'm head of the creative department. I'll worry about the talent around here." Stephanie said as she moved closer to Shane practically getting right into his face.

Shane smiled at the comment. As far as he was concerned it was his right to have whatever 'fling" he decided, when he decided. It was one of the benefits to being part owner of the biggest wrestling entertainment company in the world. But as for the wrestlers, they had no right. Shane had seen time and again how backstage relationships and dramatics often equaled poor performance in the ring. All of this translated into less revenue for the company.

"What do you have against John Cena anyway?" Stephanie continued.

"It's simple Steph. I am dad's only son and just because you married Hunter and your self made 'golden boy' John Cena is now a big shot doesn't mean you'll be running the company. I'm the Crowed Prince of the WWE, not you." Shane replied with anger in his voice.

"Shane, we're brother and sister. This is not a competition. You should be happy John is putting so many butts in the seats. It's a benefit to all of us." Stephanie replied.

"Sorry Steph", Shane said as he kissed the top of his sister's head, "I just don't see it that way. John's nothing but trouble. If you can't see it, I'm going to make damn sure that at least dad does one way or another."

As Shane walked toward the door he turned back at Stephanie.

"It's just business, nothing personal." He said tossing her a wink

Without paying attention, Shane opened the door and ran right into Triple H. The impact gave Shane a bit of a startle.

"Hunter. If I were you I'd stay away from my sister right now. I think it's that time of the month if you know what I mean." Shane said amused with the comment, and then left.

Triple H walked into Stephanie's office.

"What's going on with you and numb nuts there?" He asked.

Stephanie rubbed her forehead. She was tired of having to put out fires all the time backstage. Someone was always complaining, someone was always unhappy. The last person she expected to have to deal with right now was her older brother. It was obvious that Shane was determined to make John's life a living hell while at the same time being a royal pain in the ass her and everyone else. Stephanie decided that her big bro would need to be taught a lesson in humility. Maybe then would he learn to respect other people's personal lives.

"Oh we were just having a little chat." Stephanie replied.

As Triple H came up and wrapped his arms around her waist he went in for a kiss. Stephanie ran a hand through his long hair but then pulled back when a light bulb went off in her head.

"Tell Ric Flair I need to see him right away." She suddenly demanded.

Triple H pulled back and looked at her with a quizzical look on his face. Did she really need to see him now? And Why the hell was she telling HIM what to do?

"Can't we just finish what we…" Triple H began but was cut off when Stephanie put a finger to his lips to shut him up.

Staring up at him with puppy dog eyes she pleaded.

"Please Hunter?" She said.

Triple H growled under his breath, it was no use fighting. As instructed, he turned and left immediately to find Ric Flair, not bothering to ask why. He knew already that the shit was about to hit the fan for somebody. He prayed he would not have to be involved.