Chapter XXIII: Making Good on Threats

Therese was able to catch a few hours of sleep before she was roused by the incessant ringing of her cell phone. Every part of her body hurt as she struggled to find the phone on the nightstand beside the bed. "This is Blair," she croaked out, not bothering to look at the CallerID.

"Are you okay?" an innocent, thirteen-year-old voice asked.

Therese rubbed her eyes and worked herself into a sitting position against the headboard. "Evan?"

"Yeah, it's me. I snuck away to call you. We're on break, so I've only got a few minutes. Tell me about the match," he said in a rush.

"I'm technically still employed by WWE."

"You won?"

"Yes." His sister had to hold the phone away from her ear as he let out a shout. "Don't do that," she murmured and massaged her temple.

"Tell me what happened," he pleaded, obviously a big smile on his face.

"I kicked her ass until—" Evan growled on the other end of the line. "I kicked her butt until McMahon interfered and laid me out with a chair shot."

"He didn't?" Evan gasped.

"Tell that to my back," Therese complained.

"Does it hurt as bad as it looks?"

"Worse," she mumbled.

"Well, how did you get out of it?" he anxiously asked.

"John Cena, of all people, came to my rescue and then I finished Sable off."

"He's not my favorite but maybe he will be now, but I think he likes Stephanie."

"What makes you say that about him?" the blonde asked, curious as to what Cena had been saying about the GM.

"When we were hanging out, he said something about wanting to date her," he nonchalantly replied but quickly added, "I think I have to go. I just saw the coach go by."

"Call me when you get another chance. I love you."

"Love you, too. Oh, wait. Thank you for mailing the book."

"So, how much trouble is Harry Potter in now?"

"I've only read a few chapters so far, so nothing yet. I gotta go. Love you, 'bye," Evan hurried said and hung up the phone with Therese following suit. She barely struggled out of the bed and into the bathroom, every muscle aching. She scrutinized her appearance in the mirror and gingerly touched the small bruise on her cheek. Turning around and lifting up the jersey, she checked her back where the bruises where darker and crossed her entire shoulder blades. A hot bath helped loosen her joints and ease out some of the soreness in her limbs.

Therese stayed in the steaming bath until it was time to remind Stephanie of a later afternoon lunch with a possible advertiser. This was generally not the General Manager's role to meet with potential clients but, since she was in the area, she had agreed to do so at her mother's request.

Stephanie had also slept little during the night and thought, by all rights, she should have been more exhausted. However, she found herself energized and ready to take on the world. Therese looked quite the opposite with her scowl and blood-shot eyes. "Did Kevin turn you down?" she laughed with a smirk.

"No, we're not as ready to jump into bed with other people as you are," Therese retorted.

"You just didn't?"

"I just did," the blonde snapped back. Stephanie's face mirrored Therese's scowl and she spun on her heel to exit the room. "What are you gonna do about it?"

Stephanie stopped in her tracks, whirled around, and dashed at Therese, spearing her onto the bed. Therese was startled at her retaliation and was unable to deflect the punch that landed on the same exact spot as Sable's. Stephanie kneed her in the stomach before Therese was able to flip her over and pin her to the bed, holding her wrists down to her sides. Stephanie thrashed about but Therese held in her place, despite her protesting muscles. "You're no match for me and you're no match for the stalker," Therese ground out through clenched teeth, barely above a whisper. She slipped off the bed and left Stephanie to see herself out.

Pinning Stephanie down was the only ray of the light in the blonde's week. Stephanie, however, was barely touched by the tussle beyond the few moments of being angry and vowing to speak to the other woman only when necessary. She returned to her cheery attitude, much to the other woman's consternation. She sighed as she thought about the last night and began plotting when she would see him again…alone. Little did she consider that if Therese and Kevin weren't happy, she wouldn't be seeing much of Shawn.

All Stephanie could think about was her lover, which made preparation for her upcoming match a little easier. The only time her thoughts weren't centered on Shawn was while she was working out or in the practice ring. With her connections, she was able to secure a trainer that was trusted by the WWE in the area and had private use of his facility while they worked together.

Shawn had dogged her every day about going through with the match, but she would subtly hint at the next time they would be together and the conversation quickly turned. Shawn had even called Therese on a few occasions to persuade her to plead with Stephanie to bow out. Therese laughed to herself and thought, Not even if you offered me enough money to put Evan through medical school. She promised to do her best and spent all of five minutes explaining why Stephanie shouldn't step into the ring with the Big Show.

Thursday morning came and Stephanie arrived at the arena early in Rochester, New York. She wasn't feeling nervous until she stepped into the newly assembled ring and stared around at the empty seats. Therese was resting her elbows on one section of the barricade with her chin cupped in her hands, watching the workers lay down the mats, run cords, and set up the rest of the barricade. Stephanie wished she was as lucky as Therese had been when John Cena offered his help to her. Yes, she had worked with a trainer for a week, but someone—anyone—who had actually wrestled the Big Show would have been a great help at the moment.

Several of the guys in the crew were watching the GM and Therese began wondering who exactly they were dealing with when it came to the stalker. She wanted out of this working relationship as soon as possible. The firm had been targeting high-profile wrestlers but should they be considering any of the nameless crew? Could any of these men be capable of getting into Stephanie's office or following her without being seen? Each of them was just an average Joe and nothing stood out. They could easily melt away into a crowd and not be memorable.

Stephanie retired to her office to take care of some preliminary paperwork before making her usual rounds. Therese followed behind but now watched everyone around Stephanie and their reactions to her. Some of the men showed faces of disgust while some bowed to her every whim and she burned their appearances and reactions into her mind. Maybe this was a new way to go and immediately began a log upon their return to the office of what she could remember from their trek around the backstage.

The GM attempted to relax while taking care of the duties that the position required. She regretted making the handicap match the main event but she also knew that Zach Gowen's chance at a contract would probably draw a high rating and would be the best way to top off the show. She and Zach had spent an hour talking about the match and detailing their plans but now he was gone and work loomed before her. She rubbed a hand over her face and pulled another file folder in front of her, trying to push the thought of the match away.
After the show started, a wild hare popped into her head and Stephanie considered just begging her father to change his mind and give Zach another way to earn his contract. After all, Stephanie may have bent to her father's every whim growing up but she also had been able to wrap him around her finger on a couple of occasions. The things I did to him with Test and Hunter… she trailed off in thought but then pushed it away, reminding herself that she was a different person now. Why would it hurt to slip back into her old ways if it got her out of the match but also got Gowen a contract?

Stephanie closed the folder and glanced up at Therese, who was typing on her laptop. She considered asking her why she had suddenly taken such an interest in a computer but could really care less about the answer. "Therese, I'm going to see my father. Would you please come with me?" Their physical fight last Friday had set them on a conversational track of few words that were careful, polite phrases so that they would be a bit more persuasive than the ones they really wanted to use. In a way, it had made the relationship better since they ignored each other unless necessary, but the hate between was almost stifling, much worse than it had ever been since they had met.

Steeling herself for the worst that could happen, Stephanie entered her father's makeshift office. Why he needed an office at the arena was something beyond her since she did all the work, including what he should have been doing. Within seconds, she was slamming the door she had entered. He had refused, which she expected, but it was worth a try, even if the try was a bit dramatic. What irked her the most was he comment about not getting hurt. What the hell else does he think will happen in a handicap match with one inexperienced wrestler and a one-legged wrestler against a freight train like the Big Show! she angrily thought to herself. The way he had said it told her that he didn't mean one word and every bit of it was insincere, almost wishing that she would get hurt.

But her conversations were only getting worse. Stephanie allowed the camera man to see her begin to get ready for the match, thinking it might garner a little support for later on. Had she known that Sable would use the opportunity to barge in and make her day worse, she would never have let the camera anywhere near her. The Barbie doll feigned sympathy for the situation of Vince's daughter but Stephanie could see right through her and demanded for her to say what she wanted. Sable threw her hair back and smiled like the cat that ate the canary—she would take Stephanie's job if something was to happen to the GM in the match. The brunette narrowed her eyes in a look that told the bimbo to get out before she went off. Sable didn't care and sauntered out of the room.

Something about her words bothered Therese and she quickly followed her, grabbing the woman by her long hair. She dragged her over to the side where the cameraman wouldn't see them. Sable was the first to speak. "Lovely bruise you have there." It was the last physical remnants of their match from last week, enhanced by Stephanie's punch.

"Don't forget that I beat your ass to make you the ex-assistant to the General Manager."

"Don't forget that I'm sleeping with the boss," Sable purred.

"Can't sleep with him if you can't walk," Therese snarled back.

"Can't do anything to me if something happens to you or Stephanie first."

Therese pulled the woman's hair harder and jerked one of Sable's arms down and around her back. "I'm warning you. If Stephanie tries to do anything to you, I won't stop her." The security specialist pushed Sable out into the hall as Stephanie came to find out what was taking her assistant so long. Sable glared at the two of them and sauntered off, rubbing her shoulder.

When it was time, Stephanie asked Therese if she was ready to accompany her to the ring. Doesn't matter, the blonde sarcastically thought, you say jump and I have to ask how high, even if you are making a fashion faux pas in that god-awful wrestling outfit. The GM stepped out of the dressing room only to be cornered by the Big Show. He leered over her and made comments that she took to be him coming on to her. Instead of thinking of a good comeback, she skittered away. Therese glared at the Big Show and slowly followed the other woman.

Stephanie stood over to the side of the steps that led to the ramp to watch the monitor and hear what Vince had to say. He had confidently been making hints about doing in Mr. America tonight. She had to hear this. Vince started with how happy he was to be rid of Hogan months ago, but then he turned to accusing Hogan's ego of not letting him just stay at home and earn a paycheck. Now he was going to prove that Mr. America and Hogan were the same and fire both of them. The Chairman explained how he requested that the cameras keep rolling after SmackDown! went off the air and then asked for the footage to be shown.

The General Manager's heart beat faster at his words. Did he really find out about Hogan? What am I gonna do if he did? she thought as her legs grew weak. The replay began and Mr. America lifted his mask to reveal his face. He touched a finger to his lips to indicate that they crowd should keep the information to themselves and then the clip ended. Stephanie's stomach rolled with a wave of nausea and she reached out to the wall to steady herself. Therese stepped forward and put a hand on her side, ready to catch her if need be, and asked if she was alright. Stephanie straightened back up and nodded. She had barely heard Vince yell out that Mr. America and Hulk Hogan were fired. He was now recounting how the handicap match came to take place and added that it was now no holds barred and no disqualification. With his announcement over with, he escorted Sable to ringside and they settled in folding chairs to watch the match.

Every one of Stephanie's conversations that evening had driven her to an anger that fueled her ability to continue with the match. Now, anger didn't even begin to describe her rage. She took deep, calming breaths to settle her stomach and channel those feelings. As her music sounded, the two women parted ways. Stephanie hesitantly made her way to the ring while Therese came around the side and accepted a chair that she had placed there earlier, luckily far from Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum. Zach Gowen was not far in joining the diva and the Big Show, who had already come down.

Now Stephanie was beginning to regret her decision in going through with this. The Big Show smirked at her from the corner and her stomach flip-flopped, the last thing she had eaten threatening to return. The match started and Show slapped Stephanie aside, her ears ringing from the blow. She looked up in time to see Zach thrown to mat. Forgetting all of their plans, she jumped on the hulking wrestler's back, trying to choke him, but he tossed her aside again. She was stunned a bit from the blow and missed the Big Show tearing off Zach's prosthetic leg. This hardly mattered as Zach displayed great acumen in his wrestling ability for a teenager and for his physical challenge. He wrestled valiantly to keep Stephanie from getting slammed aside, but Show was able to control him so Vince could climb into the ring to stomp on Zach.

Stephanie lost ability to think in the situation and the massive wrestler managed to wrap his meaty hand around her throat. When Vince began urging him to choke slam her, Therese decided it was time to intervene. She jumped from her chair but was pushed aside by Kurt Angle as he rushed into the ring, followed by Brock Lesnar. Therese returned to her seat, preferring to let the two bulky men take care of things. Angle executed the Angle Slam with ease and Lesnar beautifully performed the F-5 on Show. Gowen was left to handle McMahon. Zach dropkicked Vince as if it was an everyday routine and brought everyone in the house to their feet as he climbed to the top rope for a moonsault. The move was executed to perfection and the pin was counted. The victors celebrated in the ring and Therese watched from the side, careful to stay a safe distance from McMahon who seethed on the outside.

When all the antagonists had left the ring area, Stephanie invited the other three wrestlers back to her office for a celebratory drink. She had set aside the champagne for when, not if, they won. Therese declined a chilled glass from Kurt and sat down in the chair behind the desk. Stephanie's cell phone rang and Therese noticed it was Shawn. She answered the phone for her. "Stephanie McMahon's cell phone. Therese speaking," she said with a smile. Just because she hated Stephanie didn't mean she took it out on HBK.

"Hey, how's Steph?"

"Her usual stubborn self," Therese sighed.

"Can I talk to her?"

"She's attempting to open a bottle of champagne instead of letting someone else who can actually do it."

"How'd she take Hogan getting fired?" Shawn asked.

"Not well at first but she put it behind her and went out there and did her best."

"Tell her to call me when she gets done celebrating." Therese agreed and shut the phone.

Stephanie was elated over their win and wanted to share it with the other three people who had helped. When the bottle was emptied and the match recounted several times, the participants finally departed. Stephanie chose not to stick around and slipped a jogging suit over her wrestling outfit, intending to get the ring grime off when she arrived at the hotel.

Back in her room, Therese added a few more notes to her log before e-mailing it to the appropriate people at the firm. Aaron had said nothing else to her about the match with Sable but his messages were laced with hidden meaning that warned her not to do anything else that risky. The agent poured over her notes since she was not sleepy enough to turn in for the night. Something Sable said stuck with her and she was considering the real possibility of McMahon being behind the stalker's moves. Even though the suspects, in her mind, had been broadened to any of the crew, Vince's name kept popping up over and over.

Stephanie's father made it very evident during the main event that he was acting more as a sperm donor rather than a parent. Maybe he had hired a man to intimidate his daughter and throw her off track. If she wasn't at the top of her game, she could easily be knocked off her pedestal. Since the letters weren't working, maybe he had set the Big Show up to hurt her. Why, though? But, then again, they were dealing with Vince McMahon who walks over anybody that he even barely dislikes. Therese tried to remember the family's history since Stephanie had turned on her father, wandering what make him want to hurt her like this. The letters had started before she hired Hogan back as Mr. America. Sable had said that she would take Stephanie's place if something happened to her and then, in the hallway, she had threatened harm to both her and Therese. McMahon had just now moved up the list and she dashed off another e-mail detailing this to Pendleton.

For now, the best way of dealing with Hogan being fired was not to think about it. Stephanie had planned a Fourth of July celebration in Rochester the day after the show as a way of showing that she's not the cruel bitch people considered her before her return as the GM of SmackDown! No one was required to attend but all were invited, along with their families coming if the staff so chose. She did ask that everyone be on their best behavior and to leave all their problems in the ring for just this evening.

Stephanie tired to ignore the headache that had perpetually followed her since the match while making preparations for the party. She had booked a pavilion in the park several months ago, knowing that the best places to see the fireworks would be taken. The usual Fourth of July menu would be offered and she oversaw the food arriving that afternoon. She had never grilled a hamburger in her life and Kurt Angle gladly agreed to show up early and give her a hand, which translated into "I'll do it for you."

The General Manager turned into the gracious hostess as people began to arrive. Half of the SmackDown! crew and roster came and several of them had their families flown in. The families of the few lived in New York drove out for the occasion. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, scarfing down hamburgers and hotdogs, sampling the many desserts, and actually enjoying each other's company. It was obvious that those who couldn't get along stayed far away from each other. Stephanie mingled about, not staying in one place long, while Therese's clothes soaked up smoke as she helped Kurt continue to churn out grilled hamburgers. Therese preferred it that way, preferring Kurt's company and not having to deal with all these people that she still unused to, even after two months. However, the brunette was never out of Therese's sight.

When Stephanie finally lighted in place to eat her meal, John Cena sat down beside her with his plate in hand. "Good job last night," he complimented.

"I didn't do anything. It was all Zach," she replied, glancing in the teenager's direction.

"It could have been worse and you kept that from happening. Sorry about Hogan. You got any plans about that?" he asked before taking a bite of his hamburger.

"No, I don't. I'm taking it all in stride and I'll figure it out as I go. You got any suggestions?"

"My best suggestion is that I help take your mind off of things…you and me on a date."

"John, that's so sweet," she replied, placing a hand on his arm, "but I'm terribly busy and I don't want to get in the way of you taking on Undertaker. You have to stay focused when it comes to him." She sighed to herself, wishing that Shawn could make it to keep her out of this situation, but he and Kevin both were with their respective families for the holiday. From their Cena steered the conversation in another direction and Stephanie began to enjoy his company as a friend.

As the sky began to darken, the children that were present began to get excited. "Is it time yet? Is it time yet?" they asked, dancing around their parents. Stephanie smiled at their anticipation and remembered how hard it was for her to wait for the fireworks to start. Therese had carefully noticed those who were present and made several notes in a small notebook that she kept in her pocket. With the town celebration about to begin, she knew that this would an opportune time for the stalker to strike. All lights would be extinguished and the boom of the fireworks could easily cover any noise if timed right. She kept trying to pull Stephanie away to explain this to her. When the first white starburst thundered, she jerked her by the arm and literally dragged her to the edge of the group.

Those not settled on the hill to watch quickly took their places on the grass. Stephanie accepted Therese's solution to sit in the middle of the crowd but, thinking someone might steal it, she wanted to retrieve her cell phone that she had accidentally left in the pavilion, along with her straw hat and shawl. Therese told to her to go ahead and take a seat and she would get it, but Stephanie waved her off and explained, "I'm a big girl. There hasn't been any letters for a while. Maybe he's gone away. I'm just going to get my things and you'll be with me. Besides, nothing's happened yet." She patted Therese on the arm and started off.

The blonde shook her head and followed her up part of the slope that the children had enjoyed rolling down earlier. She took some comfort in the .38 snubnose strapped to the inside of her calf beneath her loose jeans. The heat was too much to wear a coat to hide her Beretta. Stephanie squinted in the darkness, trying to find the table that she had left her things on, but her skin began to prickle and the hair on her neck stood on end. She took a step backward, feeling for Therese. She too had felt that something was wrong and threaded her arm through Stephanie's, whispering for her to be quiet.

The security specialist began to draw the brunette backward from the table and reached down to pull up her jeans leg. Her fingers closed on the weapon as the women were pushed into the wooden table and the gun skittered away into the dark. The breath was knocked out of Stephanie and she couldn't scream. She struggled to stand but the attacker slammed something hard into her head. She lost consciousness and slid down the table. Therese's elbow and shin had jammed into the table, sending pain shooting through those limbs and stunning her for a moment.

The attacker had Stephanie laid out on the bench and was turning towards Therese with something large in his hands. Therese pushed herself up from the table as he swung at her head.

TBC…

Author's Notes: Once again, I don't have the needed episode of SmackDown! recorded. Please let me know if anything was wrong. Thank you to for all their wonderful reviews so far.