Dean had stayed home to help Adam get ready for his morning meeting with Head Master Sandow, at St. Luke's Academy. Adam was grateful.
Dean adjusted Adam's tie. It was light blue with dark blue stripes. It was a perfect match for the navy suit Adam wore. Dean gave Adam's shoulders a final brush.
"There, you look perfect, my nymph. Now, you've got this. Jordan is the focus, notebook person is the key. Tell you what, when the meeting is over, come to my office. I will take my handsome future husband out to lunch." Dean gave Adam a kiss, and gave a final adjustment to Adam's tie.
Adam smiled at Dean. "I'll do that. It's been a long time since I've gone out to lunch. Jordan and notebook person. I've got it. Randy is just Randy, Jordan's father. I'd better go. Head Master Sandow doesn't do late." He returned Dean's kiss. The couple went downstairs.
"Wow, daddy! You look so pretty!" Janice stated as Adam and Dean entered the kitchen.
Adam gave Jan a pat on the head. "Thank you, baby. Are you monkeys ready? Jordan, you feeling alright? Dean, he looks pale, does he look pale to you?" Adam went to Jordan and felt the back of his neck for a possible fever.
"I am fine, daddy. Just…it breaks my nerve to go to the Head Master's office." Jordan gave Adam a look with his good eye.
Dean looked at Jordan. He gave a slight adjustment to the eye patch. "He is fine. I know Jordan, I hated going to the Principal's office at school. Be respectful, behave and you will be fine. You did nothing wrong. Tell you what. If you behave, we can go to Tony's for supper. Miss Ida included." Dean adjusted Jordan's school crested clip on tie.
Jade let out a yell. "Yeah! We love Tony's. So don't break any nerves, Jor. You will be okay." She gave Jordan a gentle nudge.
Adam put on his parental face. "Alright. Book bags? Let's go." Adam made sure each child had their book bag, then herded them to the Kia.
Dean helped buckle the kids into their booster seats. He put the four book bags on the front passenger seat. Dean kissed Adam. A chorus of giggles erupted from the back of the Kia.
"You got this." Dean whispered. He then closed the passenger door. Dean waved as Adam pulled out of the garage. He went back into the kitchen.
"My turn. Miss Ida, put your feet up. I am taking Adam to lunch. Then we are all going to Tony's for supper. Have a good day, lovely lady." Dean grabbed his briefcase and medical bag. He gave Ida a kiss on the cheek and left. He had to go to Mercy first, then he'd go to his private practice.
Adam handed each child their book bag as they stood in front of St. Luke's Academy. "You three go to class. Daddy loves you."
James led his sisters to their classrooms. Adam and Jordan went to face Head Master Sandow. When they got to the office, Randy sat and sipped on a cup of coffee. He smiled when he saw his ex-husband and son. Then frowned, Jordan did indeed look like the losing end of a boxing match.
"Jordan, are you alright, son? Does it hurt?" Randy was in full parental mode as he bent down to look at his son.
Jordan smiled at his dad. "I'm okay. My eye itches, but it doesn't hurt. I'm the mighty pirate, Cap'N Crunch!"
Randy chuckled and ran his hand down Jordan's long pony tail. "That's my boy. Adam, you look really nice. What a beautiful ring. Congratulations. I wish you and Dean every happiness. I mean that, Adam. I am truly happy for you." He leaned in and gave Adam a friendly peck on the cheek.
Adam ducked his head with a smile. He looked Randy in the eye. "Thanks, Ran. I appreciate that. It means a lot to both Dean and I that you support us. Many exes wouldn't. Oh...Randy...please...your IED. Stay calm." Adam spoke softly as Chris Jericho and his son, Ash entered the office. Ash was a miniature version of Jericho, right down to the same short, blond hair style.
Randy gave Adam a nod. "I will. I have dealt with him before." He watched with a wary eye as Jericho spoke to Miss Betty, the secretary.
"Let's sit down." Adam led Randy to the seats in the waiting area They sat with Jordan between them. Jordan leaned against Adam.
Chris Jericho and Ash sat in seats further away. The father and son looked at Jordan. Chris whispered something to Ash. Ash nodded with a smile. Jericho gave his son a proud pat on the shoulder with a smirk.
Randy watched the exchange. While he looked calm on the outside, inside he seethed. He was going to knock Jericho so hard in the wallet, he wouldn't even be able to buy penny candy.
Adam sensed Randy's inner fury. He did what he'd done for years, he put his hand on Randy's thigh. It had always helped, maybe it still would. Adam realized it was easier to treat Randy like normal than he thought it would. He was okay with that.
Randy laid his hand on top of Adam's. Even now, no one could calm him like Adam. Mike was close, but even he wasn't Adam. Randy looked over at Adam and smiled.
"Thanks." Randy spoke with a smile.
Adam gave Randy his own smile. "I'm always here for you." It was almost like ten years ago.
Betty came to the waiting area. "Head Master Sandow is ready for you. Follow me, please." She waved her arm toward the office at the end of a short hallway.
The office was very nice. All the wood was rich, dark walnut. There was a small leather sofa and four leather reading chairs faced the large, walnut desk. It was as pristine as the man who greeted them.
Damien Sandow stood at a height of six four. His frame was muscular. He had very neatly trimmed short, black hair and his beard and mustache were just as well groomed. He wore an expensive, dark gray pin strip suit. The shield of St. Luke's Academy was pinned to left lapel of his suit coat.
"Masters Jericho and Orton, sit over there. Gentlemen, please sit." The three adults shook hands with the Head Master. They sat in three of the four chairs. Adam sat in the middle. Randy on his left, Jericho to his right. Jordan and Ash sat on opposite ends of the couch.
Damien sat in his executive style leather chair. He folded his hands and rested them on the desk. Damien looked over at Jordan and Ash, then looked at the three parents.
"It seems we had a bit of a problem yesterday. It also seems like Master Orton was the reason for that problem. I understand he made some rather not nice comments about Master Jericho's father. It continued through the day, until Master Jericho was forced to defend himself. Master Orton's unfortunate injuries are the results of Master Jericho defending himself. Is this correct Master Jericho?" Damien's tone was very "know it all" and a bit condescending. He looked back over to Jordan and Ash.
Ash sat up a bit. "Yes, Head Master. He teased me all day. Said his dad was better than mine. When he hit me, I hit him back. It was more than I could take." Ash spoke like he'd been rehearsed for a role in a play.
"And, his second day in our fine Academy. That wasn't very nice was it, Master Orton?" Damien glared hard at Jordan as he spoke.
Jordan looked at his parents with near desperation in his eyes. Adam spoke. "Son, speak the truth." He gave Jordan a soft smile.
Jordan looked at his Head Master. "Sir, that is not what happened. He is the one that bullied me all day about my dad. He's the one that hit me first in the wait line. I only hit him once, in the gut, after he hit me in the face, twice. That's the real truth, Head Master." He spoke firmly, the truth was nothing to fear.
Chris Jericho let out a scoff. "I see you teach your son to lie as much as you do, Orton." He looked at Randy with a smirk.
What Randy nor Adam knew, was that Chris had spoken with Sandow before the meeting. Chris had promised to make a very generous donation to the Academy if he took Ash's side, as a new student.
Adam bristled. "I do not teach my children to lie, and neither does their father. This has nothing to do with business. It has to do with school. If Jordan said he was hit first, then that is what happened. I am sure there are plenty of witnesses who saw it." He took his turn to glare at Sandow.
Jordan relaxed a bit. His daddy believed him. He just didn't understand why Ash would lie. Jordan knew his parents would fix things with the Head Master. After all, he'd told the truth.
It was Jericho's turn to bristle. "So, now you're calling my son a liar? Why would he do that? He has no reason to lie. It was only his second day here. My son is not a liar. You're just mad because my son got in a better hit."
"I have taught my children to only hit in self defense. For some reason, yes, your son is lying, to cover up what he did. I demand to speak to the teachers who broke up the fight. It also seems strange that the fight started as soon as Mister Hamilton wasn't there to see it. Jordan said that Mister Hamilton told Ash to stop picking on Jordan during lunch. That will prove my son is telling the truth. Call Mister Hamilton and the other teachers right now. I will not have this turned around on Jordan. I am waiting Mister Sandow." Adam glared at Damien and crossed his arms over his chest.
Damien sighed. He had to do as requested. He just hoped Mister Jericho would understand. Damien pressed the intercom on his desk.
"Miss Betty, please ask Mister Hamilton, Miss Worthington and Missus Barton to come to my office, immediately." Damien gave Adam a nod.
"Yes, Head Master." Betty's voice responded.
Randy casually rubbed his hand over his suit. He could feel the packet of pictures that were tucked into the inside pocket of his suit. He just might not need them...now.
Stephanie McMahon paced the floor of her office at St. Luke' Hospital. He father was due to land at eleven. He would be at the hospital at one. It was now ten. She wasn't at all sure what was going to happen. Stephanie was confident the Shane matter would be alright. Everything had been done to prove Shane had gone to Disneyland. The rest of what had happened was her concern. Stephanie knew she had no choice but to wait and see.
Stephanie had the total backing of the seven lieutenants. That was a powerful thing. She wouldn't be the only one who'd ever taken over a faction by force. She would if she had to. She hoped it wouldn't come to that. Stephanie left her office, she still had hospital work to tend to.
At St. Luke's Academy, information was told. '"...And, I saw Master Orton strike Master Jericho. I could see that Master Orton had a bloody nose before he hit. I went over with Missus Barton to stop the fight." Miss Worthington, a fifth grade teacher, finished telling what she had seen.
Damien Sandow nodded. "Thank you. That will be all. I thank you for speaking the truth. You three may go back to your classes." He waved to the three teachers who'd come to speak.
After the teachers left, Damien spoke. "Master Orton, you were telling the truth. Master Jericho, I am very disappointed in you. Lying, bullying and fighting, all on your second day. We do not tolerate that kind of behavior at Saint Luke's. We have a very strict anti-bullying policy. Your fighting will not be tolerated. Mister Jericho, I regret to inform you, your son Ash, is suspended for the rest of the week. He may return on Monday, but if it happens again, he will be out of Saint Luke's." Damien spoke firmly. He had a very strict policy, laid out by the the Educational Board of St. Luke's he had to follow. If he let one slip go by, he could lose his job.
Chris Jericho stood with a growl. "Ash, come on. You're going back to your old school, where they don't have liars on staff or bullies in the class room. I expect a full refund of his fees within three days. I should have known better. At least the other Head Master isn't in Orton's pocket. Ash, now!" He snapped his fingers. Ash came to stand by his father, a very Chris like sneer on his face.
Chris and Ash left in a flurry of expletives that Jericho muttered under his breath as he slammed the door. Damien sighed. Maybe it was a good thing. He could tell Ash Jericho was a first class trouble maker.
"I am sorry about that. Master Orton, I am sorry, I never should have doubted you. You may go to your class now." Damien spoke warmly to Jordan. He should have known better. The Orton children were always perfect angels, even if Jade did get a little loud from time to time.
Jordan stood. He went to Damien and stuck out his hand. Damien shook it. "Thank you, Head Master. Daddy said the truth always wins." He hugged Randy and Adam and hurried off to his class.
Damien smiled as he looked from his hand to Jordan's parents. "That is a fine young man, as are his siblings. I don't know how I could have ever doubted him. I will say, Mister Jericho sounded very convincing over the phone. Maybe I shouldn't say this to parents, but I am glad they left. I feel Master Jericho would be the cause of a lot of problems. I hope the two of you can understand. Anyone can make a mistake." Damien was sincere. He'd made a mistake and hoped the Orton's would find in them to forgive him.
Adam spoke. "Of course, Mister Sandow. I knew the truth would win in the end. Yes, we all make mistakes. I think we can consider this matter entirely closed. Don't you?" He smiled warmly at Damien Sandow with a nod.
Damien returned the smile. "Thank you. You have always been a very supportive parent. You too, Mister Orton. I thank you both for being here." He stood to indicated that the meeting was over. He had a school to run.
Randy and Adam stood. Randy spoke. "I was meaning to send this, but I can do it person now..." He pulled his wallet out of his pocket an pulled out a folded check. "Here, my annual contribution to the Academy fund. Sorry it's a bit late. Things at the company have been rather hectic." He handed Damien the folded check.
Damien took the check. "Thank you, Mister Orton. You are always very generous."
"Have a good day, Mister Sandow, and thank you again." Adam shook Damien's hand.
Randy also shook Damien's hand. "Yes, thank you."
Damien smiled as the Orton's left. He opened the check. It was double the normal amount. He held a check for one hundred thousand dollars in his hand.
In the parking lot, Adam and Randy hugged. They went their separate ways. They were both satisfied justice had been served. Adam couldn't wait to see Dean. Not one thought of Randy the criminal had crossed his mind.
Randy made his way to his downtown office building. He was pleased. Jericho had managed to make a fool of himself. Randy was also pleased that he didn't have to blackmail Damien. He liked the man, but not over his children. Old man McMahon was due back today. The war would continue.
Dean smiled when Vesta brought Adam into his office. "Hi, Adam. Thanks Vesta, you can close for lunch, please." He smiled at the older nurse. Vesta left with a nod and smile to the physician and nurse.
"Oh Dean..." Adam launched into telling Dean about the meeting at St. Luke's. "...and not one single bad thought about Randy. As long as he stays the Randy I know, it will be alright." Adam loosened his tie as he finished.
Dean grinned. "That's great, Adam. I am glad Sandow saw through Jericho in the end. Oh, you will never believe this. Randy sent over a pink eye patch for Jordan. The note said not to give Randy credit. I have it in my bag. You ready to go to lunch?" Dean stood and hung his white doctor's coat on the back of his chair.
Dean and Adam left hand in hand. They went to a little bistro half a block from Dean's private practice office.
At one o'clock, Vince McMahon returned to St. Luke's Hospital. He went right up to his office, and smiled when he saw Stephanie who waited for him. Father and daughter embraced.
Vince sat down. "So, what have I missed? Let's keep the other business for tonight."
Stephanie sat down in the chair next to her father. "Well Shane has gone to Disneyland. Didn't even tell me till he sent a text from his hotel out there. The news here is..." She went on to explain about Dean, Adam and Seth.
"...so I hired, Nurse Snuka and Nurse Guerrero. Justin has the department running like a tight ship." Stephanie gave her father the news on the hospital front.
Vince looked at his daughter. "Well, it happens. Every time I go away for more than a day or two, staff leaves. I'm not that hard to talk to, am I?" He gave Stephanie a shrug.
Stephanie smiled at her father. "No, not to me. Dad, sometimes you...are too set in your ways. Times change, you have to change with them. Same with the other business." She hoped to lay a gentle foundation to build on.
Vince rubbed his chin. "I was told the same thing by the Chicago council. We will discuss it tonight. Make sure the seven are there. Now go, I have a lot to catch up on. Say...maybe Shane will just stay out west." Vince gave his daughter his distinct chuckle.
"Sure, Father. They are anxious to see you. We think Finn and Wade are...close." Stephanie gave her father a wink. He loved the gossip about their lieutenants.
Vince laughed louder. "You are a little vixen. See you later. I love you, Stephanie...so much like your mother."
Stephanie smiled. "I love you, daddy." She left her father's office. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she thought. She had hope.
Dean held Adam trapped against the Kia as he kissed the blond. "I'm proud of you, baby. I knew you would be strong. Remember, Tony's later. I'll pick up the kids, I am done here at three. I love you future Nurse Ambrose." Dean pressed up against Adam and kissed him again.
"I like the sound of that. Okay, see you when you get home. I love you, my future husband." Adam pushed against Dean and kissed him.
Dean opened the door for Adam and made sure he was buckled in. Dean waved as Adam drove away. With contentment, Dean went in to his office. He had two new patients to see.
Shane McMahon read the LSAT guide book Shawn had given him. Even though he was already in Law School, the law school admissions tests were an excellent way to study. When he took the first practice test cold, off his memory, he scored a passing grade. However, it pointed out the weaker areas he should apply more study time too. He truly enjoyed it.
Shane closed the book He knew his father was due to return today. He couldn't help but wonder if Vince would even care that he was missing. Shane certainly knew Vince wouldn't care if he were dead. If the man only knew what he was up to, Shane knew Vince would kill him. None of those were thoughts a person should have about their father. Shane however, knew it was the truth.
The law student got up and made a cup of hot tea. He used some of the water to make a bag of dehydrated blueberry crumble. He took his snack to the couch, opened his Law School study guide and read again. His study of the law was his solace.
Later that evening, Tony made a wonderful fuss over Jade, Jan, James and Jordan. He thought Jordan's pink eye patch was wonderful. To Tony, everything was wonderful. He kept the food pouring onto Dean's table. Tony said they were all too skinny. It made Jade laugh.
Adam knew there would be enough left overs to keep them fed for a week. Adam also know, much to his chagrin, that Tony wouldn't take a dime of Dean's money. Tony was a wonderful treasure.
Randy Orton relaxed with his lieutenants. "You should have seen Adam, he was worse than a mamma bear. He proved what a fucking liar Jericho is." He finished telling his men about the meeting that morning.
"Adam has always been protective. I am glad you didn't have to use the pictures. We can keep them for the future. I mean, you never know." Mike stated as he massaged Randy's shoulders. He was happy the meeting had gone so well.
"Yes, I will. Now, I want Jerifuck out of business. He isn't going to get away with what he did to Jordan. AJ is there anything you can do?" Randy arched his brow at the computer expert.
AJ smirked. "There is a lot I can do. The best way is to mess with the logistics. Delay shipments, misdirect them, cancel them, remove items. It would throw things into chaos. Hospitals and Doctors don't like their supply lines to get fucked up. I could decrease his inventory, or increase it, with the financials to prove he is evading taxes. Name your poison, boss." He almost salivated at all the things he could do to Jericho Drug and Supply.
John Morrison had listened to AJ. He too was impressed. "Remind me not to piss you off, AJ. You would have the IRS on my doorstep."
Randy chuckled. "Very true, JoMo. But, AJ needs to remember, you and your handy little pea shooter. You boys make me laugh."
AJ laughed. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Well, JoMo, the best thing is, let's not piss each other off. So boss, what will it be?"
Randy had Mike stop, so he could think better. Mike sat next to Randy on the couch. Ted and Cody played pool. Heath, Zack and Dolph quietly played a card game.
After a few minutes, Randy spoke. "As much as I fucking hate Jericho, even I wouldn't sic the IRS on him. That could lead to all kinds of trouble for all of us. Do what you can to screw up the logistics. You're right, places don't like their supply lines screwed up. But, make sure Orton Pharmaceuticals can swiftly pick up the slack if called on. Jericho fucks up OP fixes it." Randy voiced his opinion with a very wicked smirk.
AJ nodded. "I figured as much. Don't worry. We will be ready..." He paused as he clicked a few keys on his laptop. After about half a minute, AJ let out a scoff.
"How fucking stupid can you be. No security whatsoever. I broke into his system in thirty seconds. Stupid just…so stupid." AJ chuckled as he sent files to be printed on the printer in the corner.
"I'll help you, buddy." JoMo got up and went to the printer. He gathered the papers as they finished printing.
Randy took an interest. "Give me those, please JoMo. I know what to look for." Randy was happiest when could bury himself in work.
At the McMahon mansion, Vince, Stephanie, Wade, Finn, Sheamus, Cesaro, Drew, Justin and Drake finished their wonderful meal of steak, lobster, peas, salad and fresh rolls. It was Vince's favorite meal and a nice way to welcome him home.
Vince swallowed a bite of food, then spoke. "Well, let's not put it off. Fill me in on everything that's happened the last two weeks. And explain to me why Adam Orton isn't our special guest?" He knew things must have gone wrong. Adam should have been kidnapped on the day he'd left for Chicago.
Stephanie sighed as she delicately wiped her mouth. "A lot has happened. This may take a while..." She began to tell her father everything.
How Adam got away, trying to scare Randy by taking Jordan, Drew getting hit with the virus pellet to the last incident at the museum. Finn's acid trip and Drake placing the cameras, then how they were lost.
"...so, we don't yet know how they were found. Drake set them perfectly. So, that's everything that happened." Stephanie's food had grown cold, but she didn't care, she'd lost her appetite.
Vince looked at his daughter, then at his lieutenants. "So, which one of you is the fucking rat? There is too much that has gone wrong. That means only one fucking thing. Someone in this room is fucking out to destroy us, from within. Which ever one of you it is, you have not only betrayed me, but your father as well." Vince was so angry, his face was red, and he trembled.
Stephanie laid a hand on her father's shoulder. "Father, calm down. There is no one in this room who would do that to us. I've already had this same discussion with them. Everyone here, swore on their medals, knelt at my feet and kissed the ring in pledge of their loyalty to us. I have absolutely no doubts about anyone in this room. There is…something you need to know..." She was halted by Justin.
"Sir, Miss Stephanie is right. None of us around this table has betrayed you, but there is a chance that someone who lives in this house did. Ma'am?" Justin would only continue on Stephanie's word. However, he felt she should be spared saying it. She'd been through enough.
Stephanie knew it had to be said. She loved that Justin wanted to protect her. She thought for a moment. Maybe it would be better from someone else, and Justin had the best way of speaking. Stephanie smiled at Justin, gave him a nod and her eyes spoke of her appreciation to him.
Vince looked from Stephanie to Justin. "Well, someone had better fucking tell me."
Justin looked Vincent Kennedy McMahon in the eye. "Sir, we have reason to think Shane may have something to do with it. He isn't in Disneyland. We don't actually know where he is. He went out on Sunday and hasn't been seen since. The cameras in Adam's house went dead on Monday. We have broken down his cell phone and his room. We have no real, physical proof but, it makes sense. We know that he has no family loyalty. Stephanie has done everything you asked, we did everything she asked. Not only would none of us at this table betray you, we would never shame our fathers." He ended with a nod of deep respect to Vince and to Stephanie. Justin sat back in his chair.
Vince looked at his daughter. "Why did you tell me he was at Disneyland?"
Stephanie looked at her father. "Because we'd hoped it would give us time to either find him, or be able to present proof positive. I thought you had enough on your plate. I am sorry, I should have told you. I only meant to save you a headache."
Vince twisted his lips in thought, then spoke. "I suppose I can understand that. I knew I should have drowned him at birth, but my dear Linda asked for him to be loved and looked after. See where that got me? What you said, Mister Gabriel, makes sense. No member of the staff would dare risk betraying us. Question is, how did he hear what went on, and who did he tell. That is what we need to know, and where to find that ungrateful pup. I will kill him myself." Vince growled out his words like an angry bear.
The man at the table who had betrayed the McMahon faction knew he had to meet with Hunter Helmsley and soon. Lives depended on it, especially Shane's and hopefully his own.