Authors Note - Update. I hope you guys like what I've written in this chapter, and as always, reviews are very much appreciated. I love to know what you guys this of my story, even if you want to say you don't like what I've written etc, opinions are good. It gives me confidence to continue. So thank you to those who have reviewed, and please keep them coming. As always, I own nothing and no-one. If I did, I'd be on a Tropical Island somewhere drinking...
"Earl you try and twist my knee one more time and I swear I will make it so you can never have children."
Clenching her teeth against the pain, as Earl chuckled, Trish felt the trainer try and move her knee into a straightened, locked position. Landing awkwardly after she had been pulled off the ring post, Trish knew she had caused come damage. 30 minutes later and the bruise had already showed its beginnings, and the swelling was obvious. Carefully strapping a an ice pack around the joint, Earl focused his attention on Trish's bruising abdomen.
Edge hadn't exactly gone easy on her as he had driven Trish to the mat, and she had the bruises to prove it, not to mention a burning sensation all the way around from her abs to her lower back. From across the room, Randy Orton, stripped down to his wrestling trunks, looked dubious with his sighs and raised eyebrow. Noting at Trish wincing because of added pain, he added vocally -
"Not good." Pain quickly turned to irritation as Trish turned to face her partner for tonight's match.
"If you hadn't gotten involved…again…we wouldn't be in the position that we're in, with me having to defend my title and you getting the chance to be a Champion again with an exhausted tag team partner. I should be in my hotel room, dosed the hell up on pain medications, eating ice cream and watching Coyote Ugly. Instead, I'm trying to make sure that I don't break into pieces when I walk out there later. And if I lose my gold because of this Orton…no power on this earth will save you from me, understand?"
Trish winced again as Earl began to wrap a bandage around her ribs. Randy couldn't help but smile at Trish. Even when she was beaten up, she still had that fire in her. She could easily just refuse to compete, or find some other way out, but she was determined to walk out to the ring and take out Lita. And that was sexy as hell.
"Traitorous bitch. Who does she think she is? Getting the jump on me…" Trish spat. She and Amy had always had a shaky relationship, and they had never remained friends when one of them had the Women's Championship, jealousy was always involved. They would eventually be friends again of course, but for now all Trish could envision was ripping Amy's head off of her shoulders.
"You good to go tonight baby girl? I can't be saving your ass and getting me a shot at the gold at the same time." Randy's smile was defeated by the concern in his voice. Sure, he told himself it was because a big part of him becoming Champion rested on Trish's shoulders. But part of him was also concerned for Trish's safety. He didn't want her to get hurt out there tonight.
"Come over here and say that." Trish mumbled, pulling her top back down carefully over her newly bandaged ribs. Randy made his way over to Trish, stopping between her parted legs, catching her chin in his hand.
"I'm serious Trish. I don't want you getting fucked up out there okay?" Trish immediately raised her hands, shoving Randy away from her.
"Don't start with this again Randy. You walked out on me this morning if you remember. I'm not tagging with you through choice. I will come down to the ring as your tag team partner. And that's it. You and I are done. I don't want anything more to do with you." Gingerly getting off the medical bed, Trish slowly limped her way out of the trainer's room, leaving Randy to watch after her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Hey…Nothing You Can Say…!"
The opening chords of Randy's entrance theme echoed out into the arena, signalling the beginning of tonight's Main Event. The crowd buzzed in heightened anticipation - this was the match they had been waiting for.
The fans always waited in baited breath for the Main Event of any broadcast, but demographic studies had shown that the WWE fans had started to warm to Randy Orton, not least because of his involvement with everyone's favourite Canadian Diva, and were beginning to support him again.
Not to mention, with there being so much on the line in tonight's match, no-one wanted to see Lita and Edge steal another victory. Either by his own charisma or sharing in Trish's light, the fans were willing Orton to pull out a victory tonight.
And cocky as ever, the blue eyed Legend Killer appeared on the stage flanked by the newly crowned Women's Champion. The belt slung loosely over her shoulder, it had hurt too much to have it wrapped around her waist, Trish stood level with Randy as he extended his arms outwards much to the adulation of the crowd, silhouetted in tumbling golden sparks. Casting a glance to his side, Trish stood confidently, tapping her title belt in reference to her recent win.
Feeling a smile on his lips, Randy couldn't deny how right it felt to have Trish at his side. As beaten up as she was, there was no-one he'd trust more going into this fight. Although Randy would never admit it to Trish, for fear of her attacking him more than anything, he hoped she'd make it through to other end of this in one piece, with or without her title belt.
Slowly, Randy sauntered his way towards the ring, the self assured, cocky smile planted firmly on his lips. Trish followed suit, trying to hide the obvious limp she was suffering from. Flames of pain burned into her knee with every step she had taken, her rib cage throbbing with every breath she took. But Trish would not back down. If for nothing else, she had been called out.
And Championship or not, she would not back down, not to anyone.
You might not have the choice if they stretcher you out of the arena Patricia that bitter voice reminded her.
"The following contest, is a Special Rule Intergender Tag Team contest. Making their way to the ring, the team of the NEW WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus...and her partner...Randy...Orton...!"
Hopping up the steps, Randy quickly jumped through the middle and bottom rope. Glancing back to Trish, who was carefully making her way up the steps Randy moved back towards her, forgoing his usual ring entrance. Stepping down on the bottom rope, Randy pulled the middle rope upwards to make Trish's passage into the ring easier.
Trish gave a brief smile of thanks as she eased her way into the ring, grimacing as her knee cushioned the feeling of her foot stepping into the ring. Randy was already at her side, offering his large frame as a support to her. Giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Trish stepped past Orton, to the centre of the ring holding her title belt high above her head, re-igniting the cheers.
Ignoring the agony in her ribs, Trish basked in the adulation of the crowd. Just get through the match Trish. Just get through it.
Turning back around, Randy was stood directly behind her. Dipping his head to her ear, his hand found its place to rest on her hip.
"Just stay in the corner Trish. I can handle Edge and his skank. Just keep yourself out of harms way okay?" His expression was serious, and he would obviously accept no argument.
"Alright...just try not to get your ass kicked," Trish smiled, joining Randy who grinned back at her, "and Orton?"
"Yeah?"
"For tonight only...I got your back." Trish nodded before turning her back on Randy, making her way to the corner. Randy opened his mouth to call her, to express some kind of regret for walking out on her, to say the million and one things that had been buzzing around his head since this morning, but he wasn't given the opportunity.
"You Think You Know Me..."
The tremendous crash of drums and electric guitar notes gave way to billowing clouds of fake-smoke. From out of the hazed blue curtain, Edge emerged, hand in hand with Lita to a deafening unified 'boo' from the crowd. Mouthing off to the audience, Edge pulled his sunglasses off of his head, stalking down the ramp towards the ring.
Lita's expression was stony, focused intently on Trish. Lita just needed the opportunity to get the weakened Canadian in the ring, and this match would be over quicker than a night of love with Brian Kendrick. Glaring from the ring apron, Trish valiantly engaged into a staring contest with Lita, wanting nothing more than to launch herself from the ring apron and pound the living hell out of the red head. But that would be stupid. So Trish waited, gripping the rope in front of her so much that her hand hurt.
"This contest, is a Special Rules Match, with Two Stipulations set down by Mr. McMahon. The first - if Lita gains the fall over Trish Stratus, she will become the Women's Champion. The second - if Randy Orton scores the fall over Edge, he will receive a WWE Championship Title Match against Edge at Survivor Series."
With Lillian scurrying out of the ring, the bell sounded for the beginning on of the contest. Edge lunged for Randy Orton, engaging in a tie up with younger superstar. Wielding a clear height advantage, Randy powered Edge back into the corner. With the referee breaking the pair up, Randy stepped back from the corner, arms raised to appease the referee.
Using this opening, Edge scored a well aimed elbow shot into Randy's eye. Staggering back, Orton rubbed furiously at his eye socket, giving Edge time to build enough momentum to knock Orton flat down with a clothesline. Rebounding off the opposite rope, Edge landed a crushing leg drop across Randy's throat. Hissing in pain, Randy rolled towards the nearest bottom rope, clutching at this neck.
Edge pressed his advantage, dragging Randy back to his feet, before pushing him back into his own corner. Slyly holding Randy's arms back, Lita cheered for her boyfriend to attack the defenceless Randy, which he did in earnest, stomping viciously on Randy's chest with his outstretched foot. The well placed boots were enough to drive Randy back down to the mat, who dutifully felt himself being choked with Edge's foot lodged firmly into his throat. The referee tried in earnest to pull Edge back, but the WWE Champion refused, digging the heel of his boot as hard as he could into Orton's Adam's apple. From her corner, Trish screamed at the referee to do his job and break up the choke.
Releasing the grip he had on Orton, Edge stormed across the ring, gripping the recoiling Trish by her hair, heaving her head first into ring over the top rope. Instinctively, Trish rolled in mid air to land on her back. The impact drove all the air out of her body, but sent renewed throbs of pain into her chest. Certain she had smashed what was left of her rib cage, Trish rolled painfully onto her side, gasping for air against the burn. Motioning for his girlfriend to enter the fray, Lita tore into the ring, fully intended to savage the beaten Trish.
However, no sooner had she stepped into the ring, had Randy gripped Lita from the side, taking her down into a swinging neck breaker. Catching Edge's attention, he ran across the ring toward Randy, a look of pure rage buried into his eyes. The mat technician in Randy took over, allowing him to side step Edge sending him sprawling over the top rope. With both his opponents momentarily subdued, Randy found himself at Trish side, tenderly taking the tiny blonde into his arms.
Stabbed with a wave of guilt, Randy felt responsible for Trish being hurt. With as much care as possible, Randy helped Trish to her feet resting her against the ring post. Taking her chin in his hand, Orton gazed into Trish's eyes. Opening his mouth, trying to find the right words to express him concern without sounding patronising and insincere, Randy wasn't given the chance. A force from behind crushed his body against Trish's flattening her against the turnbuckle.
Trish's grip on Randy's back got harder in response to the pain, before going slack as both she and Orton slumped to the floor. A glaring Edge gripped Randy by his ankle, pulling him back to the middle of the ring, leaving the defeated Trish gasping for air.
With Lita distracting the referee on the outside of the ring, the Champion reached into his tights, removing the brass-knuckles he had stored there for usage. As the unsteady Randy turned back around to locate Edge, he was met with a straight punch to the temple, knocking the Legend Killer out cold. As Randy's body dropped to his back, eyes open a fraction, but complete out of focus, Edge leapt into a cover, screaming at the referee to get back into the ring.
Dropping into position, the referee began the count against Randy.
With the referee's hand unbelievable close to hit the three count, the elbow drop onto the back of his neck was enough to knock him for six. With the referee face down and Randy not in any lucid state, Trish rolled uncomfortably onto her back, already regretting the decision to interrupt the count. Wishing she had just let Edge get the win to stop this punishment, she could already hear the abuse the Champion was screaming at her.
Vision blurred, Trish held her arm across her chest, her breath causing blazes of fire in her chest as she dreaded what was to happen next.
With his hand coated in the brass knuckles he had used to such effect against Randy, Edge advanced towards Trish, fully intending to smack her face with such a strength she would never recover.
Trish looked up through a haze of tears to see Edge standing over her, her breath the only sound howling in his ears. Feeling the pain in her chest dragging her towards the welcoming arms of unconsciousness, Trish just craved for this to be over. The blur of royal blue and black above her made Trish think she was going to loose consciousness long before the blow fell.
Strangely, the blur of colour was aimed directly at Edge, crashing into him, knocking him to the ground.
Concentrating with all her remaining strength, the world came back into focus for Trish...and so did Jeff Hardy.
Racing through the crowd to perform a suicide dive from the top rope, his flying body smashed into Edge with all the force of a truck, whipping the crowd into frenzied cheers.
With Edge knocked senseless, Jeff had no problem taking down the screeching Lita, who had pounced at her former friend. Caught in a swift 'Twist of Fate', Lita joined her boyfriend in the bliss of a dazed outlook. The crowd exploded into a huge array of cheers for Jeff, who had come to Trish's aid. Carefully, he pulled the blonde back to her feet, her head flopping forward to rest on his shoulder. Jeff held her body close, which Trish was grateful for. The stability was enough to make her world stop spinning at least for the moment.
Making sure Trish was resting comfortably against the turnbuckle, Jeff turned to face the confused Randy Orton. Orton noted the stirring Edge, deciding to press the advantage and worry about Jeff later.
Dropping to his front, Randy flattened his body against the mat, stalking the WWE Champion. The fever pitch which the crowd reached gave Edge the realisation that things weren't going his way. In abject fear, he turned to face the launching Randy Orton, who brought the WWE champion unceremoniously down with a stinging RKO. Immediately hooking Edge's leg, Randy waited as the referee groggily hit the three count, declaring Trish and Randy as the winners.
Raising his arm in victory, Randy motioned for Trish to join him. Limping forward, Trish stepped into Randy's engulfing embrace. The scent of his body sent waves of warmth through her chest, but it wasn't enough to block out the pain.
Trish turned, as if in slow motion, to see Jeff lunging towards the her to attack.
In reality, Jeff had flung himself forward, noting Lita wielding the steel chair she had grabbed from outside the ring, aiming for Trish's head.
Trish had the sense to move out of the way, and Lita had missed completely, over swinging and crashing awkwardly into the ropes. It was Randy, who had been paying more attention to the baying crowd that noted too late the flying Hardy.
Already committed to the move, Jeff had no chance to stop himself. His body collided with full force into Randy, knocking the Legend Killer completely off his feet. Randy landed awkwardly on the back of his shoulders and neck, sending bites of pain into the muscle.
Rolling back to his feet, Orton seemed to channel the pain into anger, gritting his teeth as he flung himself toward the apologising Hardy. Tackling him to the mat, Randy began smashing right hands into Jeff's face and head. The two began to jostle for position, rolling around the ring, throwing punches as hard as they could. The ring became flooded with black and white, as an army of referees tried to break the pair up.
Still clawing at each other as they were ripped apart, Randy spat a mouthful of metallic tasting blood out of his mouth. Jeff freed his arm to wipe and the trail of crimson liquid oozing from his nose. Both men stared at each other, straining at the arms holding them back from tearing into each other. No-one noticed Trish, who in the midst of the violence had collapsed in the corner, succumbing willingly to the pain in her chest.