A/N: Well kids, we're in the home stretch! This one only has one more chapter, which has already been written, and then the epilogue. I can't believe it's done already, but I only wanted 20 chapters and I think I said all that I needed to say.

Thanks for sticking this one out with me. I know it's hard to read a pre-quel since you already know how it's gonna end up; it was really much harder to write in reverse than I thought it was going to be, but it was interesting. I've started the first couple of chapters of A Perfect Circle but I don't know when I'm going to post that one. I'm starting a Cena fic...Body Image and that's haunting me right now. My goal is to finish this and The Concubine before I post anything new. I only have 5 more chapters of that story and with this one wrapped, I might just finish it.

Be Easy!

Shanny

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Troubled Waters

"What time's your flight?" Dave laid next to Britain, running his fingers through her hair. Five weeks wasn't nearly enough time to spend with her. If he had it his way, he would have gone to Miami himself and packed her up to move her in with him. He couldn't believe that he had finally met the woman that he wanted to build a life with, for no other reason than he loved her.

Britain sighed and nuzzled deeper in his embrace. "Four o'clock." She didn't want to go, but if she ever stood any chance of working again in her life, she had to make some of the appearances she had scheduled. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay while I'm gone?"

Dave smiled. She was still trying to take care of him, even when it was time for her to take care of herself. "Yup. I'll be fine…I'm a big boy now."

She laughed and swatted at his chest. "I'm serious. Who's gonna wrap your arm?"

"The girls have volunteered to come over everyday to make sure that my arm stays tightly wrapped."

"Well, what about your medicine?" She was looking for any excuse to stay. She had gotten use to being there with him and she didn't want that to end.

Dave kissed her head. "I'm hardly in any pain anymore. I don't need the medicine."

She looked up at him and frowned. "But you're back in the gym. Knowing you, you're over gonna overextend that arm."

Dave touched his hand to Britain's cheek and gave her a reassuring nod. "I won't, I promise." He felt the way she laid her head back on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. It felt like she was trying to never let him go. He actually liked that feeling. "You're afraid to leave, aren't you?"

"No." Britain didn't like to be called out. She got defense whenever she was.

"You lie."

"So."

He squeezed her shoulder and sighed heavily taking in the scent of her hair when he inhaled. He still didn't know why she didn't trust him, but he hoped he could break down that wall soon. "I told you, I love you…I'm not taking that back."

"I know." She smiled up at him and kissed his chin.

"I'll be fine; I promise." It would another two weeks before he would see her again. But two weeks would feel like a lifetime, he was sure of it. "You know…since you're leaving me here, all by myself…alone…" He became really dramatic in his attempt to lay on the guilt, "this soon after my surgery, with no one to talk to or to explain General Hospital to me…"

"What do you want Dave?"

"And you'll be off gallivanting around the country, seeing sights that I could only dream about as I'm forced to lay in this bed desperately missing you…"

"What do you want?"

"Getting to hobnob with the likes of God knows who and having the time of your life, while I only get physical therapy…"

Britain pursed her lips and turned his face to hers. "David…what?" He raised his brows and smiled devilishly at her. "Oh…you think because I'm leaving, I should give you something to remember me by?"

Dave nodded his head rapidly. "The thought had crossed my mind. It would only be fair if you did."

Britain rested herself on her elbows as she looked down at his beautiful face. "See, there's just one problem with that. You're under doctor's orders…"

"And I've talked to my doctor and my physical therapist and they both agree that as long as I don't overwork myself, there is no problem with me getting my freak on." He loved her laugh. "I won't be able to tie you up or do some of the other things you like, like when I…" Her popping him upside the head made him change his course. "Well you know… but I figured we could still do some things."

His smile was causing her to smile, but she wouldn't give in…not yet anyway. "You really talked to your doctor about having sex." He nodded his head. "Well how do you propose that happen without you overworking yourself?"

Dave shrugged. He had it all figured out from the moment the doctor gave him the green light. "I figured you could do all the work. I am injured you know." He held her hair back as she leaned down to kiss him. "I'm gonna miss waking up next to you every morning." The sincerity in voice was unmistakable.

Britain smiled just before she kissed him again. "Me too. But in two weeks, when you come to Miami…you're going to have the biggest birthday party and then you'll get to wake up with me for as long as you want."

"You brazen hussy. Are you trying to seduce me?" He asked with a smile.

"Is it working?" She laughed when he nodded and kissed her again.

Britain smiled to herself thinking about her last night with Dave. That had been the first time in almost six weeks that they had sex and to her recollection it had been one of the best. Maybe it was because she knew she was leaving or maybe it was because they hadn't done it in so long. No matter how she tried to rationalize it, she knew it was because they were in love.

She reached over the side of the tub and grabbed her cell phone. She had made a decision, she wanted to tell him. She had waited until he had recovered from his operation and though he wasn't fully back to his old self, he was far from being the invalid he was when he first came home. The only problem she faced now was how.

"Hello?" Jericho's voice was groggy when he answered.

"Hey…it's Britain. You busy?" If anyone could give her insight on what to say to Dave, it was Jericho. He had the answers for everything; he always did. It was amazing that someone so young could be so wise.

Jericho looked over at the clock and yawned. "No…what's going on?"

"I need to talk to you. Where are you?"

"Chicago. We're gonna be here for a few days. What's up?" He knew that tone in her voice. Something was wrong with his little Buttercup.

Britain debated if she should say something over the phone, but then decided against it. This was a conversation that she needed to have with him in person. "Can I see you tomorrow? I'm in Detroit right now. I can fly out there."

"Sure. Are you okay?" He was concerned. It wasn't like her to just up and fly across state lines just to talk to him. This was definitely something major.

Britain tried to fight back her tears. She had tried talking to X, but she could be difficult at times. When she told her that she finally told Dave that she loved him, X was less than thrilled. Her pimp dreams had been flushed away with those three words. And when Britain asked her how she should tell Dave, she was answered with, "I wouldn't tell him shit." Almost John's words exactly. "I'm fine. I just need a friend right now."

Jericho gave her the information on where he was staying. He didn't care what his schedule looked like, Britain needed him and to him that was more important then anything else.

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The relationship between Chris Jericho and Britain Weis was hard for even them to understand. Neither one of them had much in common, but it something about the other that they were both instantly attracted to. Their relationship was never the lustful kind, but it was just two people that clicked. She was wild and crazy; he was more down to earth. He loved that she often did things without thinking; he was her center of gravity. From the first time he had met her, he knew he needed to watch out for her. Marcus "Buff" Bagwell was a dick. Any and everyone who worked for WCW knew that. The only person that he had managed to snow was Britain.

Jericho warned her from day one to be careful around Marcus. He was a womanizer, he was hot tempered, and he had been known to do some pretty crass shit before. Britain was a kid that had no clue what kind of guy she was dealing with. And it wasn't like Jericho and Bagwell weren't friends. As long as you weren't sleeping with Bagwell, he was pretty cool to be around. If nothing else, his stories always kept the locker-room entertained. When he walked in one day with this beautiful young model on his arm, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before Bagwell had yet another story to tell. But Bagwell told her he loved her and she believed him.

"Hey." Jericho greeted Britain with a smile and big hug as he opened his hotel room door. "You look great. I can't tell you how beautiful you are."

Britain faked shock and clutched her chest. "Now Cupcake…we both know that you're the beautiful one."

"Well…that's true." He led her in the room and closed the door behind her. He had no idea what to expect, but she didn't look like she was in any physical harm.

Britain kicked off her shoes and sat on his bed. She folded her legs under her, she knew she was going to be there for some time, and took a deep breath. "So…what's going with you? How are you doing?"

Jericho knew her stall tactics well. He also knew that she would get to her problem in her time. He could play along. He had been doing it for years. "I'm good." He looked at her and his eyes danced. "I'm leaving."

"What do you mean you're leaving?" He couldn't be leave, she needed him! Granted she hadn't talked to him in years, but she knew that if she ever really needed him, he was right where she could find him. If nothing else all she had to do was turn on the TV and he was right there for her.

He walked over to the bed and took a seat next to her. "I'm not renewing my contract. I'm taking some time off." He didn't know how she would react, but he wanted her to be the first to know. "Jess' pregnant. It's a boy."

"Really?" She smiled ignoring the quick pain of sadness that shot through her body. She caught her breath before it could escape her lungs. "That's great." She tried to sound as genuine as possible although that news hurt and she didn't know why. It's not like she ever thought about it before, why would it bother her now?

"I'm going to be a father." He was in total disbelief. He knew he shouldn't be talking to her of all people about him being a father, but he wanted her to know. "I just wanna be home, ya know. I want to go through it all with her."

She nodded because she understood. "You're gonna make a great dad." She meant every word of that.

Chris turned to Britain and wrapped his arms around her. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. "You sure you're okay?" He spoke in a soft voice, not knowing if his news of his leaving and paternity would make her more lost than she already seemed to be.

"Dave told me he loves me." She wasn't quite sure why she started there, but it was as good of a place as any.

Chris' smile widened. "Really? That's a good thing right?" Judging by her face, he wasn't sure she thought so.

She nodded with uncertainty. "Hunter knows. He's gonna tell him."

If it was one thing that frustrated Jericho about Britain, it was that she never followed his advice. He could tell her exactly how things were going to play out, but did she ever listen? No. He knew it was because deep down, she always hoped he was wrong. Most of the time, he hoped he was wrong. But when it came to her, he rarely was. "I thought we talked about this already. Why haven't you told him?"

"I don't know how."

A knock at the door interrupted her confession to her friend. Jericho put is finger up to signal her to wait one moment as he went to answer the door. Britain felt a big smile cross her face when Eddie Guerrero walked through the door.

"Niña…I didn't know you were here." Eddie said with a smile, walking over to her and hugging her tightly.

Britain was so enthralled in seeing Eddie that she didn't notice Rey standing there or the fact that Jericho wouldn't let him leave. "I'm gonna go." Rey said turning around, ignoring Jericho trying to stop him.

"Rey?" It was time they settled this. Britain was tired of this fight between them, but when he wouldn't turn around that pissed her off. "Oscar!" That grabbed his attention. "I just wanted to apologize for yelling at you. I know you didn't tell Hunter."

Rey still didn't turn to face her. Instead he shrugged and grabbed the handle of the door.

"When are you going to stop hating me? What do I have to do?" To know that he felt so much anger towards her broke her heart. They were so close once. Even if they were never that way again, she just wanted him not to hate her anymore.

Rey's shoulders slumped when turned around. He looked over at Eddie who was sitting beside Britain holding her hand. He could see the glassy look in her beautiful eyes. This was wrong. "I don't hate you, Britain. I never did."

"You have a strange way of showing it then."

He took a few steps toward her and looked at her like he couldn't believe that she didn't understand. "Do you know what you did to me? Do you know what it was like?"

"It was probably the same as it was for Chris and Eddie, Rey. The only difference is that they never changed toward me. They knew I fucked up and they forgave me for that."

He shook his head. After all these years she still didn't get it. "It was different for them because they weren't in love with you. I loved you so much. Do you know how it felt to know that you would rather be with an asshole like Bagwell then me? We all tried to tell you what kind of person he was, but you didn't care. You just did your own thing because you always do." He let out a defeated sigh and decided he was going to tell her everything. "It was one thing to see you like that. I could even handle going back to that locker-room and listen to those guys talk shit about how good you were and how easy you were. But then to see it again when they played the videotape…then I turn around and you're right back on his arm. That killed me. I wasn't good enough for you. But he dishonored you and you loved him for it."

Britain was taken aback. She never once knew Rey's side of it. She didn't know he felt like that. She knew he had a crush, but he was in love with her? "I had no idea; I swear. It wasn't that you weren't good enough; it was that you were my friend. The four of us..." She pointed between herself, Jericho, Eddie and Rey, "were like the four musketeers. You three were my boys. I always needed my boys. Eddie has always been the big brother I never had. Chris is my rock. But you, you were mi familia…mi raza. You were my soul…have you had your soul taken away from you Rey? It hurts." She could feel the first tears slowly fall over her lids, yet she kept a smile on her face remembering how close they all were. "I fucked up. I made a mistake, but I had a good time doing it. I never meant to hurt you, but I never felt that way about you. You were my friend and that to me was more important than what I thought was your crush on me. I don't regret it; the only thing I regret is that you hated me because of it."

Rey saw the look in her eyes and he realized that he missed years of her friendship. "I never hated you. I was heartbroken, but I never hated you." He stepped to her and wrapped his arms around her. It felt so good to hold her again. No matter what, if she never felt that way about him, he had his friend back and that was better than nothing. "So, Batista's the new lucky guy, huh?"

Britain nodded resting her head on Eddie's shoulder. "I love him." She looked over at Chris and sighed. "Now, how I am going to tell him?"

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Dave's 37th birthday party was a huge success. Britain had rented out a club for the event and spared no expense for his big day. Granted, his birthday was the week before the party, but she wasn't home to do anything about it. He didn't mind, it's not like he had anything to do anyway. Britain had invited his friends, co-workers, luckily they were in Miami for Raw, and some of her friends as well. Everyone had a good time, that was until Hunter decided he wanted to speak to Britain.

She still didn't know why she had invited him. It would have seemed suspicious had she not, but now she regretted that decision. He had waited until Dave was deep in conversation with Ric and Jericho before he pulled Britain by the arm out into the hallway.

John saw Hunter's little action and tapped Randy and nodded toward the door. He still didn't know what the deal was with them, but he didn't like the way that Hunter was always dogging her out when Dave wasn't around. Both John and Randy knew that when Hunter had his mind set on something, he could be a cold hearted asshole. If nothing else, they were going to make sure that he didn't hurt Britain in anyway.

"What do you want?" She asked yanking her arm back. If there was one thing Britain didn't like, it was to be man-handled.

Hunter rolled his eyes and looked at her with a smirk. "I gave you enough time to have your fun. It's over. When he comes back, he's getting pushed for the belt. End it now. If you don't tell him, I will."

If Britain could have beat him to death with her stilettos, she would have. But then she'd have to find a way to hide the body. "What's your problem with me? I haven't done anything to you." She wasn't going to cry, not in front of an asshole like that. "I love him; please just leave it alone." Maybe appealing to his sensitive side would work.

"Well that's too damn bad." Hunter's smile widened when he saw John and Randy standing in the doorway. If he could humiliate her in front of an audience, even better. "You're low class; I told you that before. I don't have time to make sure sluts like you don't fuck all the talent. That kinda shit tends to fucks with a champion and he needs to be on point before you cause him another fucking injury."

"Oh get over yourself. This shit you do for living isn't real…it's fucking written. It's entertainment, not the fucking Olympics." She had just about enough of him for a lifetime. "I don't like people telling what I can and can't do. I'm not leaving Dave. If you don't like that, then fuck you."

Hunter reached out and turned her back around to face him. No one talked to him that way. "I bet you would like to fuck me, wouldn't you? You're all about the gang bang right? What do you say, me, Cena, and Orton? It'll be just like old times for you. That kinda shit gets you off doesn't it, Eightball?"

"What the fuck is Eightball?" Randy turned to John who shrugged. "Look man…leave that girl alone. Come on, Britain."

"Mind your business, Orton. This is between me and her."

John stepped toward Hunter and glared. "Well this shit now involves us too. Back the fuck off Hunt."

Hunter rolled his eyes at John. "So what? You fucking them already?"

"You don't know shit about shit." She said through clinched teeth. She was tired of letting him bully her into doing something that she didn't want to do. "It was a long time ago and I'm not ashamed of what I did."

"Then you won't mind if I tell him." Hunter challenged with a smile. He moved in closer and ran his finger down her cheek. "What do you say? You still got it in you to take all of us on? Or do you want more? Cause I can call Hall, Steiner, Luger, Whitman and anyone else you want."

Before she knew what happened, she slapped his face. "Go to hell."

Hunter laughed. "You got until tomorrow, or I'm ending this shit for you."

She watched him walk away and put her head down. There was nothing she could do. Not even John holding her, trying to tell her that everything would be alright was enough to make her believe it. Dave was going to find out regardless and since he was, it was going to have to be from her and not a prick like Hunter