A/N: I want to thank everyone for the patience! I apologize for taking so long to update, but the end of the school year's coming and the workload is getting a little nuts, lol. I'll try and get the next part up soon! Thanks for the reviews!

Part 9

"Stace, is any of this really necessary?"

Stacy giggled to herself as she glanced down at Randy, who was pouting and wriggling uncomfortably underneath her. Her face grew slightly serious, and she nodded.

"Yes, Randy, it is necessary," she told him, in a tone that bordered motherly. "You have a concussion, honey."

Randy grimaced at the mention of his injury. Sure, he had pretty much been knocked out, but he didn't forget why. He hadn't forgotten Triple H's quick counter to his attempted DDT. He hadn't forgotten crashing down onto the mat, his head bouncing off the canvas and rattling his brain. And he certainly hadn't forgotten being pinned by Hunter and losing the match.

He sighed as she pressed the ice pack in her head to his forehead, applying the slightest amount of pressure. He didn't think she realized that ice was not the cure-all for a concussion. It made his head wetter, cooler... but not better.

"Come on, babe, my head's numb," he whined, sticking out his bottom lip.

Stacy shook her head, giving him an amused smile as she continued with her task.

"I could've told you that," she remarked playfully.

Rolling his eyes, Randy took the ice from her hand and tossed it to the nightstand beside the bed where they rested. When she reached for it again, he slapped her arm away, shaking his head vehemently. Stacy laughed... what a diva. She sat up from where she rested beside him, hopping into his lap and straddling him.

Randy groaned at the sudden weight put on him, but he adjusted quickly and smiled. He pulled her even close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She pressed her forehead to his, kissing him softly. She didn't want to let him see how worried she was about him. She knew how he'd react.

When their lips parted, she shifted off of him, coming to rest at his side. Her arms snaked around him, and Stacy yawned as she rested her head on his chest.

"I talked to Trish tonight," she said, quietly changing the subject.

Randy sighed, glancing down at her. His girlfriend boasted a proud smile on her face, and she was obviously pleased with the accomplishment. He frowned, sitting up with her still in his arms. It took a moment for the dizziness resulting from his sudden movement to fade, and then he spoke.

"Look, I know you've turned this into your little pet project," he said slowly, "but please, be careful. I don't..."

"This isn't a project, Randy," she said sternly. "I'm serious about this. I really want to help her."

"I don't doubt that, Stace. I'm just not real sure that Trish wants your help," he explained. "She's a dangerous woman, and I don't want you getting into something that you can't handle."

Stacy sighed, shaking her head. She wouldn't dare deny that Trish held physical strength way over her head, but sometimes Randy underestimated her mental strength.

"I'm getting through to her," she replied. "A few weeks ago she wouldn't even say hello, and now she's starting to open up to me. I'm not going to push her away now."

"I just don't understand why you even care," he shrugged, letting go of her to massage his throbbing temples.

Stacy shifted away from him, a hurt look filling her expressive eyes. The cold look in his blue eyes broke her heart. He wasn't always this way.

"You used to care, too," she said, her head dropping between her shoulders.

When she first started talking to Randy, he was the most considerate person she knew. His welcoming personality was, after all, what drew her to him in the first place. His heart had darkened since he left Evolution.

"I still care, Stacy," he told her, wrapping himself around her again. "I'm only saying this because I care about you. I don't want to see you get hurt."

A small grin played on her lips, and Stacy reached up to gently stroke his cheek.


Trish chewed on her lip, a nervous feeling rising from the pit of her stomach. She kicked her pace up a notch, her hips swaying with each step as she hurried down the hall. The quicker she got to Molly's hotel room, the quicker she could leave. Had she gone out with Dave to celebrate his victory like she planned, this wouldn't even be an issue. If she kept her mind occupied, she didn't even care about Molly seeing Christian.

But she had instead sat in her hotel room, mindlessly flipping through the television channels to pass time. She couldn't get the couple out of her mind, and so she decided to clear everything up immediately. She would never be able to sleep if she didn't.

The blonde woman had wandered down to the lobby in hopes of getting Molly's room number. Thankfully, the young man working at the desk was more than willing to help out Trish Stratus. It was nice to see that, despite her past actions, there were still some diehard fans of hers out there. Moments later, she found herself standing outside.

Exhaling slowly, Trish narrowed her eyes at the door. Biting back all her precautions. She raised her eyes, breathing steadily as she waited for Molly to answer. She heard the chain lock sliding off, and the door slowly creaked open.

"Hey, how... Trish?"

Trish's stomach dropped straight out of her body. She knew that voice all too well, and it certainly didn't belong to Molly. She opened her eyes and they widened in horror as she found herself face to face not with Molly, but with her ex-boyfriend, Christian.

Christian's face bore a similar stare, his jaw hanging slightly. She was definitely not there to bring room service. A nauseaus feeling churned inside him. He knew this was bound to happen sooner or later... but that didn't mean that he was prepared.

He watched her gaze slip past him, searching for any signs of Molly, whom he knew was sleeping in the bedroom. He guessed that the purse sitting on the table in plainsight was evidence enough. He forced his mouth shut, swallowing hard.

Before he could speak, the anger bubbling inside Trish boiled over. She slapped him hard, so hard that he couldn't bite back a pained groan. He rubbed his cheek soothingly, and judging by the stinging sensation he guessed that a red mark was already forming. Before he could react, she took off down the hall.

Christian didn't hesitate to run after her, and within a few seconds he caught up to her. He grabbed her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze so that she stopped.

"Trish, please, we need to talk," he said.

When she didn't bother to respond, he spun her around, forcing her to face him. Trish took one look at him and rolled her eyes. She struck him again, this time balling her hand into a fist and puching him in the chest. Another groan escaped Christian's lips, and he clutched at his heart as he reached for her again.

"Trish, please!" he pleaded, wincing as he prepared for the next blow. It never came.

"How could you do this to me?" she asked, tearing her arm out of his grasp.

Christian sighed as he glanced over her. He never wanted to hurt her. In fact, the reason why he didn't want Molly to tell her about their relationship was to avoid causing her any more trouble than he already had. It was obviously far too late for that.

"Look, there's no excuse for not telling you, but you have to understand..."

Trish put her hand up, silencing Christian midsentence. Despite how badly she wanted an explanation, a part of her wanted to hear none of it.

"My best friend, Christian," she said through gritted teeth, fighting back the tears dying to be released from her eyes. "All the women in this damn company, and you had to pick my best friend!"

"I didn't pick her, Trish," Christian defended himself. "It just happened."

Trish snorted at him, her gaze slipping away. She knew that she couldn't look at him if she wanted save face. Those tears were sure to spring out if she made eye contact with him.

"If you're using her to get to me for something, Christian, don't," she said bluntly. "Because I swear to God if you hurt her..."

"I'm not trying to get to you for anything!" he cried, taking a step away from her. "Trish, I promise you that I have no bad intentions here..."

"Do you really think your promises mean anything to me, Christian!" Trish yelled back, her voice raising considerably. She watched Christian's eyes dart around, and she knew he was secretly praying that no one heard them arguing. This was just how it had always been. "Besides, if anyone held a grudge with me, it'd be you. What better way to get to me than by dating my best friend?"

"It's not like that all," he voiced in a hushed tone, hoping that she would do the same. "I have nothing against you, Trish... I've never had a grudge. Why are you so paranoid?"

"You made me this way!" she cried, shooting down his hopes for a quiet discussion. "I gave up everything I had to be with you, Christian, and in the end you just turned me into this paranoid bitch!"

Christian winced at her harsh comment, which he knew was completely true. He had been so paranoid during their relationship, he had without a doubt put ideas into her head. But being with Trish gave him a huge wake up call. Sure, he still wasn't the most liked guy backstage, but he was working on it. He was a changed man.

"Trish, I don't think words could ever express how sorry I am for our relationship ending the way it did," he said, cautiously reaching out to her.

Trish eyed his hand in disgust, but didn't shy away from his touch. He placed his hand on her arm, a sincere look of sorrow filling his blue orbs.

"So you show me how sorry you are by dating my best friend, and having her lie to me about it," she spat, though her tone was much less venomous as it had been.

All Christian could do was offer her a shrug, "Can't control who you fall in love with."

"You love her..." Trish breathed.

Her eyes widened, as though she had come to some great realization. She eyed her former lover steadily, her head cocking to the side. She couldn't deny the passion and sincerity in his eyes.

Her head had begun to spin as she continued to eye him over. All of this was such a whirlwind for her. She was still furious at Christian, and just as upset at Molly, for keeping their relationship a secret. But then why did she feel a warm sensation in her heart when Christian said he loved her? Blinking rapidly, she let out a shaky exhale.

She rose her gaze to Christian's, and her ex-boyfriend offered her the tiniest of smiles. It was almost questioning, asking her if she was okay with what he'd said.

"Trish?" he spoke, releasing her arm from his grip. "Please don't be mad at Molly. I'll understand if you don't want to speak to me, but please, don't be mad at her. She's already worried herself sick over what you're reaction would be."

Trish said nothing, just giving Christian a half nod and walking away. She needed to talk to Dave.