Chapter 13

It was in the middle of the night when Corey and Joelle returned to the hotel, and Chris sat worried in their room waiting for them. And since Corey was not in the mood to talk about it Joelle filled him in with what had token place.

Chris was shocked to say the least, and it took a few minutes before he found his voice back.

" Wow…I mean…man I'm so sorry…"

" Don't say that, I can't hear these words anymore." Corey grunted.

" Sorry man..oh…well…wow… I would have never guessed that they were fighting over…that.."

The room fell silent, neither of his two friends knowing how to comfort Corey through his misery. And he was glad the topic had been dropped. Nobody could understand how he felt right now, but he knew they were just trying to help somehow, and he was thankful that he wasn't left alone.

" Hey Kid, I know you probably need some time to think, but I'm always here for you, and I'm sure you can count on Joelle, too, … if you want to talk..I know you used to talk with Hunter..but.." Chris offered, and Corey nodded.

" But he could still talk to Hunter…" Joelle said quietly.

Chris nodded. " She's right Kid, you always felt like a father for him, and now that…you know… you could still " but Corey cut him off.

" You expect me to act as if nothing ever happened? I can't just deal with him like before, this is something totally different." And he left his friends to go for a long walk. He had to do some thinking.

How the roster had found out what was going on Corey didn't know, but the persistent questions and the constant expression of empathy were driving him insane although he knew they just wanted to show their support. Corey felt like running every time one of his co workers approached him.

Brandon had been released from hospital the following day and Corey made sure to stay out of his way, although it seemed Brandon had no intentions to get in his.

Shane stayed true to his word and released Brandon who started to work as a trainer at OVW.

Corey was somehow glad not having to deal with him anymore, but on the other hand he thought it to be a great loss for the company. His feud with Morgan ended with Corey coming out of it as the winner and retaining his title.

Joelle and him became closer and closer and he was glad to have her by his side, she was all he could ever ask for, and he could say that he loved her with all his heart.

The following weeks were the hardest in Corey's young life. He avoided his mother, whenever she called he would find an excuse for not having to talk to her, he only talked to Sue who felt like sitting between the chairs.

Hunter had needed surgery to attach screws to his knees to hold the bones together, he would spend a long time in a wheelchair, and it would take moths for him to recover fully. The doctors had warned Jay that he'd get depressed having to rely to her completely, simple things like dressing and showering were an impossible plot for him, and Hunter was getting more and more frustrated with every passing day despite the fact that his wife would join him in the shower every chance she got to make him feel better, and surprisingly that frustrated him even more due to the fact that because of his legs there were no, well, lovely activities, for a long time, and Hunter swore to his wife that as soon as he would be able to stand on his own legs he would lock them both in the bedroom and never be seen again.

Corey had decided to keep his distance for now and let reality sink in completely first before he took a step forwards, but Joelle and Jay had agreed to talk on the phone every week to exchange news and give each other updates on theirs men's condidtions.

Entering the room he shared with his girlfriend after the show Corey saw her just hanging up the phone.

" Jay?" he assumed.

" Yeah, Hunter's doing..well..ok. He's constantly pissed, but we both know Jay, she knows how to handle him." Joelle chuckled.

" Any news?" Corey asked.

" Rehab starts next week, they originally wanted to wait until next month but Hunter threatened the doctor to cause him unbearable pain if they didn't start now. Jay said they looked like they had never been that intimidated by a man in a wheelchair."

Corey had to grin. " Sounds like Hunter."

Joelle nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. " And how are you feeling?"

Corey knew to what she was referring to and sighed.

" Stressed out. First I find out that…well..you know.." but Joelle shook her head.

" Corey, you will have to accept it sometime. Not thinking about it wont turn back time, let alone change reality, you will have to deal with it sooner or later, the sooner the better, I know that sounds hard, but it's true."

Of course Joelle was right, he would have to live with it, but Corey felt not ready to accept it yet.

" Look, you can't even speak it out. Say it Corey, I promise it'll help."

The words entered Corey's mind, but he refused to let them out. He couldn't…

Joelle took his face in her hands and stared deep into his eyes.

" Say it, baby, Hunter is my father."

Corey felt his eyes water at hearing those words again and tried to pull away but Joelle wouldn't let him.

" Say it, just four little words. You'll just have to try, it's so easy.."

Corey pulled himself together, glad that he had a woman like Joelle.

" Hu…Hunter…is…" Joelle nodded reassuringly. " …my…father…" he said slowly and exhaled deeply.

Joelle smiled and kissed him softly. " Yes, baby, say it again. You can do it."

" Hunter…is..my…father.."

" And once more without stuttering." She encouraged him.

" Hunter freakin' Helmsley is my father." Corey said and had to grin slightly.

Joelle smiled. " That was more than I expected, but you did it, honey. I'm very proud of you. How do you feel?"

Corey closed his eyes as he repeated the words in his mind over and over again, and to his big surprise he felt a part of the heavy load on his shoulders being lifted off him.

" Better." He whispered and thanked God again for sending him the angel that was Joelle.

She smiled and hugged him tightly, and in his subconscious Corey slowly started to accept the words that raced through his head, Hunter was his father. He still had a long way to go, he knew that, but it was a start.

With a lot of mental support from Joelle and Chris Corey decided to deal with the next big obstacle, that being his relationship with Jordan. Joelle became kind of negotiator between them since brother and sister still felt very uncomfortable with each other and neither of them seemed willing to make the first step, and after a few days Joelle had had enough and pushed Corey into talking to his sister, there would be a lot of things to sort out. Although not really knowing how to act around each other Corey and Jordan sat down and had a long talk about the events in the past with Jordan telling Corey how they found out about Hunter's unfaithfulness, about the fight in the hospital, and how she felt after the whole disaster. Corey tried to be understanding and expressed his compassion during the whole conversation, but also stood his ground and told her that it hadn't been his fault in the first place, that he understood where she was coming from, but he had lived his life, especially the past months, with all these questions no one was willing to answer.

They sat and talked for hours, and by the time they exited the room Jordan had apologized for her detesting behavior much to Corey's surprise, and they made a promise to each other; they would try to get along.

Joelle was very pleased with the result.

" I'm so proud of you, baby, this was long overdue."

Corey nodded and sighed. " I still can't believe I have a sister…and two nieces…"

Joelle nodded. " But don't forget you also have a brother."

Corey fell silent. He had suppressed his thoughts about Brandon, but he knew he'd have to deal with him, he was family now. He still couldn't believe that he was actually related to Brandon Justice Levesque, a man who he had despised for so long, a man who had made his life in the WWE more than miserable, and now there he was, his brother.

Lost in thoughts Corey didn't watch where he was going until he bumped into something very warm, very human, and very female.

" I'm sorry…I didn't…" he started to apologize, but the woman before him smiled and waved it off.

" It's ok, I'm still alive." Corey took a good look at her, she was a beautiful woman.

" Hello Mrs. McMahon-Irvine." Joelle greeted the woman who smiled back at her.

" Joelle, right? How are you?"

Joelle nodded. " Very good. This is Corey, Corey Johnson."

The woman extended her hand. " So you're the talent, heh? I've heard a lot from you, very nice to meet you, I'm Stephanie."

Corey shook her hand. He had never met Stephanie McMahon before, but she seemed to be a very genuine person, and he liked her right away.

" Well, you two wouldn't happen to know where my husband is? I swear he' s so independably….men."

" Tell me about it…" Corey mumbled and Stephanie gave him a surprised look.

" Don't mind him, he's gone through a lot lately." Joelle said. " He just found out who his father is."

" ELLE!" Corey shouted shocked.

" Oh..I'm sorry..that must be hard for you." Stephanie said empathic.

" Yeah.." Corey mumbled again.

" Excuse me..your name is Corey?" Stephanie said, suddenly studying the young man before her very closely.

" Uh...yes…"

" So… Hunter finally told you.." she said, shaking her head.

Corey and Joelle stared at her disbelievingly.

" You..you knew?" Joelle asked, not believing her ears.

Stephanie nodded. " Me and a few others. Kinda surprises me that he waited so long."

Corey was stunned. There were more people that had known the whole time? And nobody had said a thing…

Then Stephanie took his hand and squeezed it. " If you ever want to talk about it, I'll be there, I know the whole story…"

Corey nodded slowly as the words sank in. Who else knew?

" Well, I gotta go find Chris, you know him, he's a troublemaker." Stephanie chuckled and walked off.

Joelle looked after her, then back at Corey. " Wow…" was all she managed to bring out.

Corey shook his head. " Who else knew?"

Joelle shrugged. " Well, obviously Steph, I mean, she and Hunter were close friends..and maybe Shawn…"

Of course, Corey thought, Hunter and Shawn were best friends like forever.

Corey excused himself and wandered around the arena, lost in thoughts. He was sick of wondering and worrying, he was sick of any more unanswered questions. He found himself again sitting on the announcers table, his favorite place when he wanted to be alone. Nobody came out here when the show was over or far from starting, except for a few stagehands checking that they didn't forget anything, but they would leave him alone.

" It's so quiet here, right?"

Corey looked up to meet the sparkling eyes of Stephanie.

" Yeah.."

" Are you alright? You look rough."

Corey nodded. " I'm fine…just..thinking…sorry."

" For what? You have all the right to be worn. That's some hard stuff." Stephanie said sympatically and sat beside him.

" It's not fair.." Corey whispered sadly.

" No. No, it's not, but it's reality, it's life, and life's never fair."

How true, Corey thought, and then asked " How…did you know?"

Stephanie sighed. " He told me himself. He came to Stamford one day, he looked so miserable, he was absentminded, and that was just not like him, you know, he was too much of a professional, he still is, so I asked him what was wrong. He wouldn't tell me first, but…being a McMahon I wouldn't let him get away with some curious excuses, I bugged him until he gave in and...yeah..told me. I was probably as shocked as you were. "

Corey nodded slowly and looked down on his hands. "And…and..who else..?"

" Let me ask you something, when you're in deep shit, who do you turn to?"

" Uh..my girlfriend...my friends…Chris.." Corey answered.

Stephanie nodded. " And so does he."

" Shawn?" Corey asked hesitantly.

" Of course Shawn. Best friends forever, that's what they were, and what they still are, they're like brothers." And trying to lighten the mood she added " If Hunter would ever hook with a guy it would be Shawn."

Despite his attempts to hold back the laughter a low chuckle escaped Corey's lips. " Can you picture Hunter with a guy?"

Stephanie laughed. " I don't WANT to."

A picture popped into Corey's head, and he grimaced wildly. That was just gross…

" Did you talk to him?" Stephanie asked seriously.

Corey shook his head. " Not really…in the hospital..when they told me…I don't know if I…can.."

" Don't dissociate from him, that's his worst fear. We talked about it a lot, I know how he feels, he loves you, he always has."

" I know.. he told me…but still…"

Stephanie looked at him empathic. " I know it takes time, Corey, but let me tell you that he did everything he possibly could to be near you. He thought about you all the time, and when the contact was cut off it almost drove him insane. He was devatated. I've never seen him cry until that day, not even at the funeral of his parents.."

Corey fell silent. He had caused so much trouble, so many tears and so much worry to the ones he loved, and Stephanie seemed to read his thoughts.

" It was not your fault, Corey, don't blame yourself. You may think you'll never be able to deal with it, but I know you can. I see Hunter in you, you're a lot alike, he's a fighter, and so are you. He never gave up on anything, and you also wont. That's just not how it works for both of you."

Corey nodded, knowing that Stephanie was right. He had his Mom's looks, but he had always been told that he had his father's personality. And now that he knew who his father was he almost believed Stephanie's words without a doubt.

" Look Corey, it's a heavy burden, I know that, but look at Hunter, there's the mental pain, but also the physical. I watched the match…I was so close to crawling through the tv screen and put an end to it.. anyways, he has to deal with the revelation and the rehab. But he WILL recover, he WILL walk again, and he WILL get over it. I mean, he's the Game, and the pain better back down, because HE is the pain."

Corey smiled. There was something about Stephanie McMahon-Irvine that made him just feel better.

The conversation was put to an end with two big arms being wrapped around her, and turning he saw Chris Jericho standing behind them.

" I was looking for you all over the place, and where do I find you? Flirting with some youngster. You're hurting my Canadian pride."

Stephanie laughed and kissed him on the cheek. " There can't be that much of Canadian pride."

Chris shot her a mock hurt look. " Ouch."

" You'll survive. Oh, Corey Johnson, Chris Jericho." She introduced the men, and Corey was in awe. They chatted for a few minutes before Corey stood up. " It was nice meeting you..but.. I think there's some unfinished business to do. I'll go call…my….Dad.." he said and exhaled.

Stephanie nodded. " Do that. He'll need all the support he can get now."

" Who are you talking about?" Chris asked, not wanting to be left out.

" H…Hunter.." Corey responded slowly.

Chris raised a brow at him. " Hunter? Dad? Did I miss something?"

" Long story." Stephanie waved him of and he shrugged.

" Well, bye then. And thank you, Stephanie." Corey said.

" No thanks needed, and call me Steph." She answered smiling and Corey left the couple to return to his locker room and call the person he hadn't personally heard off since the encounter in the hospital.

Jay picked up after the fourth ring.

" Hey Jay, it's Corey."

" Corey, my god, how nice to hear from you. How have you been?"

" I…uh..fine..uh…is Hunter around?"

" Oh..sure..should I pass you or.."

" Yeah, that would be nice."

" Ok..hang on.."

Corey heard muffled sounds and low voices until he was greeted with a quiet " Hey Kid."

" Hey…Hunt..how are you?"

" Are you just trying to be nice or is that a serious question?" Hunter said snappish.

" Don't mind him, he's a bitch these days." Jay shouted in the receiver, and Corey had to chuckle.

" I'll show you bitch…" Hunter shot back, but earned a laugh. " And what are you going to do? Get up and kick me?" Jay teased.

"Way better, I'll run you over."

" I wanna see you try, I attached the brakes."

Hunter snorted. " I hate you."

" I see you're having a blast." Corey grinned.

" Yeah, the time of my life with that hellcat around." Hunter grunted sarcastically.

Corey listened to the mock argument for a while amused then turned serious.

" How's..it going?"

" Slow..too slow for my taste. That doctor's an idiot, he'd hit me with his ridiculous little plastic hammer, for whatever reason.. stupid little fucker..I offered to hit him with a real hammer.."

Corey had to choke back the laughter, Hunter sounded more like a five year old than a grown man.

Hunter complained about the therapy methods for a little longer before falling silent.

" Hey Kid..uhm..you..still mad…at me? I mean…that's the..first time..you..called me."

Corey exhaled. " I'm..I'm not mad…lots of thinking…you know… I don't know how to…well..."

" Yeah..me neither…" and then he said something that brought tears to Corey's eyes. " I miss you."

Corey didn't know how to respond, he sure missed Hunter too, but something inside him refused to let his guard down yet.

" I…I…"

" You don't have to say anything, Kid, I don't expect you to just forgive and forget…I'm prepared..for the worst.."

Corey gulped. Hunter expected him to turn on him like his daughter had all these years ago, and he suddenly felt guilty.

" NO!" he shouted, his emotions taking over. " Don't..I promised I wouldn't…I never will..I just need time."

Hunter sighed. " I understand…well the doc's here..gotta go…"

" Yeah…get well soon, okay?"

Hunter laughed. " I try…Kid? It was good hearing your voice.."

"Your's too..bye.."

Corey hang up and rested his head in his hands. Yeah, he' need time, a lot of time.

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Well, here's Chapter 13. I know it's again a little short, but I've horrible writers block at the mom.

Hope you enjoy, thanks for reading.