Author's Notes: I know the last chapter was a bit boring but I couldn't leave out Freddie Blassie and I needed a bridge chapter into this one. Plus, for one moment, I wanted to give Stephanie and Therese a feeling of connection before putting them back at each other's throats.
Chapter XV: Crisis After Crisis After Crisis
The dreaded routine became more than dreaded. It was close to a nightmare by the end of SmackDown! Piper's Pit began the show with Piper running his mouth about Zach Gowen before Vince McMahon joined in. He actually gave a veiled apology and stated that Gowen was an American success story and, of course, comparing that with himself. Since success is not handed to someone, according to him, he offered the chance for the young man to earn a WWE contract. At that point, Gowen came to the ring, escorted by Mr. America. Insults were exchanged before the challenge was extended—an armwrestling contest. McMahon would represent the WWE and, if his arm goes down, then Zach wins the contract. Hogan quickly offered to be Vince's opponent. However, McMahon quickly countered with the stipulation that Gowen would be going against him. Hogan and the teenager attacked and sent McMahon, Piper, and O'Haire running. After more insults from McMahon, the trio disappeared, laughing over the incident.
With tomorrow's funeral looming over her and then her barely making it through the video tribute to Blassie, Stephanie threw herself into critiquing every bit of the show. Once she got over her initial anger at Vince demanding the arm wrestling match with Zach, she was able to concentrate on her job since she was behind on paperwork and the like. They were minutes away from the main event when the person Stephanie had been avoiding showed up. She and Therese were on their way back from a break when Stephanie caught Vince McMahon coming out of her office. She wasted no time in starting on him, questioning his judgment with the armwrestling contest and defending Zach Gowen. She drew herself up and stated that she would give him a contract if McMahon wouldn't. He quickly countered, telling her that she would be fired for doing so. Therese quietly stood by, ready to strike if need be but more than willing to let this family spat pass over.
"Now you calm your little self down," he said, seeing his daughter's distraught face, "'cause you need some assistance…I'm not so sure that you don't need some psychological help. You definitely need help around the office 'cause the other one you've got is worthless. As a matter of fact, I've hired you a new assistant."
Excuse me? Therese thought while Stephanie's mind echoed the same thing. The brunette promptly protested, "I do not need a new assistant."
"The hell you don't? You've got one now whether you want one or not. Meet your new assistant." He ushered her into the office, Therese a few steps behind, to introduce her to Sable. The golden-haired woman had acted in almost every "job" that a woman like she could in the WWE—valet, wrestler, eyecandy, slut, mistress, and more.
The look of disgust on Stephanie's face was more than obvious. "Tell me, Dad, what position is Sable qualified for?"
With an apparent perverted look on his face, he answered that she was "eminently qualified for a number of positions." Stephanie quickly reminded him that she sued the company over supposed sexual harassment and posed the question of Sable's looks making him forget the lawsuit. She accused Sable of just wanting money in her lawsuit, jumping on the bandwagon of others' lawsuits, and now garnering his attention with her body to get her hands on more money. McMahon countered, saying that she was so upset because she was jealous of her new assistant's looks. Sable slid off the desk and looked Stephanie up and down. Stephanie rolled her eyes and stared at the wall in anger.
No one seemed to move but Stephanie finally walked around behind her desk and began checking the things that had been moved. Sable followed her with her eyes, saying nothing. Stephanie wouldn't let her father's words bother her. She was trying to be more worried about what that slut had done to her desk.
Therese was highly uncomfortable with it all, so she broke the silence. "Stephanie, is there something you need Sable to do for you?" Sable turned to look Therese up and down. She was just a bit shorter but her body was that of perfection. Her long, straight tresses made Therese's look the color of plain brown. She wouldn't lie that she was a little jealous of the woman's body but at least her face didn't look as if she had had several face lifts.
"Hmmm…Yes, there is. Bring me and Therese some coffee and then you're excused for the night," she replied absentmindedly and began checking the drawers for stolen or moved items, thinking about how she was going to give Gowen a contract without getting fired. The GM didn't really care what kind of success story the boy was. She wanted to give him a contract now just to spite her father.
With Sable out of the room, they both exhaled loudly. Stephanie began first. "I can't believe my own father would say those things about me."
"I can't believe he would hire another assistant," Therese said more to herself than to Stephanie.
"I don't need psychological help," the GM continued indignantly.
"That's debatable," the other woman muttered.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I thought you said 'office help.' You needing administrative help is possibly a debatable issue," Therese quickly covered.
"Then he has the gall to hire that woman. He definitely has something up his sleeve…" she trailed off, tapping a pen to her chin in thought.
"Well, duh," Therese mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, I was referring to the match."
I bet, Stephanie thought. "Well, we're just going to figure a way out for the both of us to deal with Sable."
"Is it possible to even tolerate that woman?" Therese said, turning around in the chair to face Stephanie.
"I don't know, but that's where we have to start. Say as little as possible in front of her. She and my dad need as little ammo as possible against me. I'll figure out a way to get rid of—"
"To get rid of what?" Sable asked, coming back in the office.
"This stain on my skirt," Stephanie replied, wiping an imaginary spot on the white material. She then added with a hint of anger, "By the way, you always knock first before coming in."
Sable set a cup of coffee down on Stephanie's desk and settled on the edge. She glanced at Therese and then clapped her hands to her mouth in mock surprise. "I forgot yours."
"I'm sure," Therese commented, not trying in the least to hide her sarcasm.
Stephanie looked up at Sable. "You're dismissed. There is nothing you can do tonight. I don't really care if I see you next Monday." Sable slowly stood and turned to leave, glaring at Therese as she made her trek across the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For what felt like the two hundredth time, the two ladies flew across the country back to New York that night. Jetlag was killing them and they barely slogged out of bed to get to the church on time. Therese seriously contemplated staying at the hotel but thought it extremely rude not to attend since she was staying with Stephanie. When they arrived, Vince McMahon gave her the evil eye. She was about to fade into the background when Stephanie's mother accosted her.
"Miss Blair, I'm so glad to finally meet you," Linda said, shaking Therese's had. "Stephanie has said such wonderful things about you. I think you are so good for her, especially now that she has to deal with Sable."
"Oh, I'm just doing my job," she replied and shook her head.
"Well, whatever you are doing, thank you for keeping her together. It's about time for the service to start. It's good to meet you," Linda finished and let go of the younger woman's hand.
People began filing into the pews. Stephanie took her place with her family one row back from the front. Therese felt she had no place there. She figured that she could let everyone have a seat and settle in the back so she could keep her eye on everything. Picking at her black dress, she tried to look inconspicuous.
"Someone looks lovely today," a voice behind her whispered. She turned around to find a very handsome Kevin Nash in a dark navy blue suit.
"Thank you," she replied with a blush. "I didn't know you would be here."
"I didn't think I could make it, but here I am. Come sit with us." He didn't wait for an answer, taking her by the elbow and leading her halfway down the church to where Shawn Michaels was seated. All she could do was think about the man beside her. She felt guilty and irreverent for thinking such things at a funeral service, even if she didn't know the person. The church became stifling hot but no one else seemed to feel as warm. A million people, besides the minister with a eulogy, wanted to say something about Mr. Blassie. Somewhere in the middle of it all, Kevin snaked his hand into hers and squeezed. She looked up at him and he gave a faint smile that seemed to say, "We'll be out of here eventually." She sent a one-sided grin back to let him know she understood but he didn't let go of her hand. Therese wasn't an old-fashioned gal but something about holding hands in church felt wrong. Yet, she didn't let go, even when he caressed the inside of her palm with his thumb.
When the service was over, the throng filed out, Kevin still holding her hand. They stepped aside as everyone milled about. "You and Steph want to get lunch with us?" Shawn asked.
"Oh, we can't. We're eating with Mrs. McMahon and Shane and Marissa. Sorry."
"That's okay," Shawn said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I would invite you if I could," she replied, placing a hand on his arm apologetically.
The aforementioned people made their way over to the trio. The usual greetings were made and Stephanie asked if Therese was ready to go. Kevin wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a hug. Eyebrows raised all around.
"You guys wanna go with us?" Shane abruptly asked.
"We don't want to intrude," Shawn replied, waving them away.
"No, come on with us," Stephanie persuaded.
"If you're gonna twist my arm," Shawn replied with a grin.
Shawn and Kevin started for their car and Stephanie pushed Therese in their direction. "I've got Shane," she mouthed. Therese shook her head and ran to catch up with the other two.
Lunch was quieter than normal with that many loud-mouths at the table but it did lift their spirits from the earlier service. Shawn and Stephanie did their best to refrain from looking at each other. They had talked throughout the week as if nothing had happened between them and they tried to give that impression to the others. Not knowing what was going on, they had independently thought it best to not let anyone know of their interest. Everyone else at the table assumed that Nash and Michaels had been invited for Therese's sake since she and Kevin were obviously dating. Unfortunately for them all, lunch was over and they all had different planes to catch. Kevin and Shawn were on their way to Miami while Stephanie and Therese would be staying two nights in Stamford.
Stephanie's house was ridiculously large. Therese's entire apartment fit in half of the bottom half of the house. The home was bought with what she had sold her and her ex-husband's. Stephanie seemed to gloat about the fact that she had gotten the house in the divorce and then sold it. Since the estate had a security system, Therese chose to get lost and stay out of Stephanie's way as much as possible. Stephanie found her in the heated pool on Saturday when she needed to make a trip to the home office.
"They're open on Saturdays?" Therese asked, toweling off.
"This is my dad's company we're talking about here. Of course, he makes some people work on Saturday," Stephanie answered with a look on her face that said, "Shouldn't you know?" She then quickly said, "They get some other day off during the week though."
WWE headquarters was more massive than it seemed on television. Therese couldn't believe that they used all that space for the administration of WWE. Stephanie's office was on the top floor, along with the other higher-ups in the company. The intent was only to be there a few hours. Stephanie settled at her desk and began filtering through her inbox. Therese picked up a couple of files as a decoy and ambled about, Stephanie always within sight. She eventually tired of that game since there was no one to watch and settled at a secretary's desk that was across from Stephanie's office.
After a couple of hours, the GM asked if Therese didn't mind getting them coffee. After much debate and locking Stephanie in the office, Therese set out for the employee lounge. She passed by Vince's office and noticed him inside, papers everywhere. She hurried by in hopes of him not seeing her. With the coffee in tow, she tiptoed as quickly as possible past his office but, out of the corner of her eye, she saw his head jerk up. Therese made a beeline for Stephanie's office with Vince close on her heels. Stephanie saw them coming and swiftly unlocked the door. Therese barely got turned around from setting the cups down when Vince started in on them.
"I thought I named Sable your new assistant."
"Do you see her here?" Stephanie asked.
"I do see someone here that shouldn't be." His steely eyes turned towards Therese.
"And why exactly?" the GM asked of the Chairman.
"Sable is your assistant now."
"I have two then," Stephanie replied and returned to the chair behind the desk.
"No, you don't," Vince responded and turned to Therese. "Miss Blair, I suggest you get lost."
"Stephanie hired me, Stephanie fires me," the blonde replied with a cocky grin.
"Oh, really? In case you haven't checked lately, I own this company. I can fire anyone I want. Miss Blair, you are fired. Leave now before I call security." He returned the same smug grin.
"That won't be necessary, Dad. I'm done here. I'll see her out."
Vince stood in the doorway to watch Stephanie pack up her things and followed them to the elevator as if they wouldn't if his presence wasn't there.
"Now what do we do?" Therese asked once inside.
"We'll work it out. I have some ideas."
"Anytime you're ready, please elaborate."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie threw herself into her work once they arrived in Orlando. She was behind enough as it was from last week and Shawn had insisted on setting Therese and Kevin up again since they were in the general area. She was tired of working behind a hotel room desk and sick of the crises that popped up every week. An evening out with Shawn was precisely what she needed…but little did she know she wasn't exactly getting it.
The young GM was settled on her bed, laptop open for notes, watching RAW. It was getting easier to watch now that she had more of a vested interest in the show by the name of Shawn Michaels. Why in the world he was helping the Hurricane, she had no idea but just enjoyed seeing him in the ring. Seeing Triple H get the hell beat out of him by Nash was bittersweet. She still hated him for what he did to her but still had that feeling of first love for who he was. It didn't matter, she would see Shawn tomorrow night and Hunter would be the last thing on her mind.
While Stephanie was enjoying RAW, Therese and Evan were on the phone together for three hours, watching the deciding game of the Stanley Cup—the beauty of nationwide phone plans. As the last second ticked down in favor of the New Jersey Devils, Vera asked to talk to Therese.
"How was the game?" Vera asked.
"You didn't watch it?"
"No, I was on the phone overseas," she replied with a sigh.
"Everything okay?" Therese quickly asked.
"I don't want to add bad news to Anaheim losing but…"
Therese slowly headed into Stephanie's room, the frustrated lines around her eyes beginning to tell her age. She rubbed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I have some not-so-great news."
"Yeah, sorry about the game," Stephanie replied, clicking the television off.
"No, that's not it," she replied, her shoulders dropping further. "My babysitter's grandmother in France died. She's the executrix of the will and could be over there for some time."
"I'm sorry about that."
"Thanks, but it doesn't end there." Therese took a big breath and spoke again, "Evan doesn't leave for camp for two weeks. I've called all of his friends' families that would be willing to keep him and, well, we're out of luck."
"And you're telling me this why?" Stephanie asked with raised eyebrows.
"School ended last week, so he's got to come on the road with us until he leaves for basketball camp."
"No, that's not gonna work. Have you called everybody you know?" the brunette asked, not wanting or needing another crisis.
"I've called everybody that I can," Therese answered with downcast eyes.
"We'll figure something else out," Stephanie quickly said, rising from the bed.
"Vera leaves in the morning. I don't have another choice," Therese pleaded.
"Just for a couple of days. Then we'll figure out something else."
There is nothing else, the older woman thought, but at least it's a start. "Thanks. I'll be picking him up late morning at the airport."
Both of them suffered through a long night wondering how all of this would work out. Therese slept little working out the kinks in the plans. It would just be easier for her to go home for two weeks but what would that do for everything they had worked on? Even more, what would Evan's presence do? In a way, it seemed to prove that Therese was just a normal person who was working for Stephanie. Yet, the first mistake had been made by Therese using her real name. With Evan's presence, a person could link the two together and identify her and her job, blowing the entire operation.
Stephanie was extremely annoyed with it all. If Evan was anything like his sister, she wouldn't be able to handle them both. She planned on getting on his good side straightaway and nipping the problem in the bud. When Therese warned her that she was Evan's favorite woman in wrestling, she asked to see a picture of him. Therese pulled one up on her computer. "He's gonna be a lady killer," Stephanie commented. "Let's go get him."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC…
Author's Notes: I obviously took a little bit of liberty with Stephanie and Vince's words regarding the hiring of Sable as an assistant and Stephanie already having Therese as one. Hopefully, it'll make for a better story as we go along.