Chapter 4

Trish couldn't have gotten out of that office fast enough. She had just whipped out her cell and was about to call Amy when she felt someone grab her left arm.

Letting out a surprised yelp she quickly raised her other hand and whacked her mysterious assailant over the head.

"I know I deserved the slap but seriously I don't think I deserved that!" Dwayne grumbled, releasing her arm so he could rub his sore head.

Before she could even attempt an apology someone else cut her off.

"STRATUS! HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME ABOUT HIM?" Amy didn't look too happy and Trish sighed. The red head only ever called her by her second name and raised her voice so everyone in the tristate area could hear her, when she was extremely pissed off with her friend.

Matt and Jeff trailed behind her, it seemed they were unsuccessful at calming her down.

"Amy I swear I was going to tell you! I didn't tell you in the locker room..." Trish began trying to reason with her friend as the guys just looked on.

"Cut the crap!" Amy growled. "Why did you keep this from me?" She shot a look of disgust at Dwayne who somehow managed to not roll his eyes at her over dramatics.

"Amy, how do you know that Trish knew what was going on?" Matt asked gently. He had no idea that Trish had mouthed 'sorry' to Amy in the room.

Amy looked at Matt as if he was stupid. "Seriously Matt! It's Trish!" She scoffed. "How could you not tell me in the locker room?" She had now turned her attention back to Trish. "I'm your best friend! We tell each other everything!" She added in an attempt to guilt trip her friend.

"Would you listen to yourself!" Dwayne scorned. "Trish had no idea what was going on until she got to Vince's office before the show. I can see now why she didn't tell you." He added under his breath.

"Excuse me?" Amy narrowed her eyes and attempted to step closer to Dwayne. "You wanna repeat that?"

Matt quickly grabbed her by the waist. "Okay! I think it's time that we headed back to the hotel!"

He attempted to lighten the mood which was proving difficult with his girlfriend's constant struggle to get out of his grasp.

"Matt's right." Jeff said, speaking for the first time. "It's been a long day and standing here shouting at each other isn't going to get us anywhere." He added seriously, shooting Amy a look who rolled her eyes.

"Fine!" She huffed, knowing she was defeated. "Maybe I was being a bit over dramatic..."

"You call that a bit?" Dwayne couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"Dwayne." Trish turned to him the warning clear in her voice. "Amy is trying to apologise...don't say anything."

"Trust me, Trish is right." Matt muttered out of ear shot which made Dwayne smile slightly.

Amy (who was oblivious to her boyfriend's comment) turned to face Dwayne and sighed. "Matt you can let go of me now."

Matt tentatively released her out of his grip. The others just watched as she got closer to Dwayne, not taking her eyes off him for one second.

"I apologise for blowing off the handle. Jeff's right, arguing is going to get us nowhere." Amy told him truthfully.

He smiled slightly at her which made her want to punch him in the jaw. "However..." She began which made his smile disappear. "If you ever and I mean ever make my best friend cry like you did the last time you left, I will make sure you wish you were never born!" She finished in a threatening tone, carefully emphasising all the important words.

Matt closed his eyes and prayed to God he didn't 'Lay the Smackdown' on her. Jeff and Trish were trying not to laugh.

Dwayne knew Amy was looking out for her friend, he respected her for that but he wasn't scared of her.

"I'll keep that in mind. Now I think it's best if we head out, you don't know who is lurking about." He replied.

As the group made their way out, Trish walked with Matt and Amy. She turned around and stared at Dwayne before turning back to her friends.

He was about to shout on her but the sound of Jeff clearing his throat cut him off.

"Uh, can I talk to you for a sec?" Jeff asked.

Dwayne watched Trish walk away before turning his attention to the younger Hardy.

"You gonna warn me off to?" He smirked.

Jeff grinned and shook his head. "Nah, I'll leave that to Amy. I wanted to speak to you about Trish."

Dwayne frowned that was the second time that someone had wanted to speak to him about her and he was not liking it one bit.

"If this is about her wanting to leave..." He began but Jeff's wide eyed stare stopped him from continuing.

"She wanted to leave?" Jeff asked stunned. "Wow, I knew she was feeling uneasy but I didn't realise things were that bad." Jeff muttered.

"You really had no idea." Dwayne said aloud but more to himself. "Did something happen to her?"

What, apart from you leaving her? Ooooh that was bitchy! If I say that he'll kill me. "I don't know but just after you left (Dwayne tried not flinch at those words) Trish hasn't been herself. She kept saying that it was this whole Alliance thing that was getting to her but I think something or someone has done something to her." Jeff replied honestly.

Dwayne folded his arms. "That's a pretty strong accusation Jeff."

"I know." Jeff agreed. "But it makes sense! Trish has always been strong willed and hasn't let anyone put her down but what ever happened to make her want to leave, it must have been pretty damn serious." He added gravely.

Dwayne took in the other man's words. He did have a point. Trish was not the kind of person to let anyone get to her.

"Suppose you're right, how exactly are we gonna find out about what happened and more importantly prove that what happened actually took place?"

"Honestly, I have no idea." Jeff replied. "I think when she's ready, Trish will tell us. Until then we just have to make sure she's okay. I do know one thing though." He added with a small grin.

"What's that?" Dwayne frowned once more.

Jeff's grin got wider. "She's missed you. She may act like she don't give a shit but seriously man, she's missed you like crazy."

Dwayne smiled back at Jeff. "Thanks man, I know we haven't exactly been close in the past but I mean it when I say it, thanks for keeping an eye on her."

Jeff held up his hands. "Hey, what are friend's for?" His cell suddenly vibrated which cut him off. "It's Matt, he's wondering where I am...you need a ride?" Jeff asked as the two began making their way to the parking lot.

"You sure Amy won't mind?" Dwayne laughed.

Jeff chuckled. "It's not her car besides its funny when she gets pissed off...when I'm not the one she's mad at, it's even better!"

Later that night, the majority of both rosters were now back at the hotel. However, a few people were still at the arena.

"I am gonna make that asshole pay for what he did!" Shane yelled then winced as he felt sharp, stabbing pains at his neck.

Stephanie and Paul who were with him (in the now empty EMT room )remained silent as they listened to his angry moans.

Stephanie knew all to well that Shane was not one for letting things go easily – especially when they concerned him being humiliated in front of the entire nation and not to mention World.

"Will you relax? The Doctor said you'll be fine! Just a little sore in the morning" Paul said a tad concerned, after all Shane was the mastermind behind this whole Alliance and if he fell then it was only a matter of time before they did as well.

"I still cannot believe they managed to pull that off!" Stephanie murmured half in annoyance and half awe struck.

Shane glared at her. "It's nothing to sound so amazed by Steph!" (she rolled her eyes at him) "Anyway, like I said, there is no way in Hell that I'm gonna let that slide. We need to teach Dad a lesson and I know how to do it." Shane finished in a smug tone.

Paul looked at him curiously. "How are we gonna do that? We couldn't even take The Rock out?"

Shane glared at Paul. "That was a mistake. One, which I can assure you will not happen again!"

Stephanie folded her arms and stared at her brother. "Mistake or not, we can't afford to fuck up again! With Dwayne back there's no telling what could happen! If we are going to act then we need to think of something fast otherwise we might as well kiss our jobs goodbye!" She said in exasperation.

Unknown to them, Rob Van Dam was causally strolling down the hallway. He meant to leave with Rhyno and Tommy Dreamer but he stupidly left his ring gear behind. He was kinda pissed that he lost his match so he wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. He hummed quietly to himself but stopped mid stroll when he heard voices coming from the EMT room.

I would have thought Shane and the others would have left by now. He grinned when he thought back to what when down in the ring.

Although he was on the so called 'other side" he couldn't help but feel impressed when Vince managed to pull off that stunt. Plus the look on Shane's face when he was about to get Rock Bottomed was a bonus.

"Will you shut up!" Shane hissed at his sister. "Your pathetic whining isn't helping the situation Steph!"

Rob knew he was probably safer to walk away but his curiosity got the better of him. He tiptoed closer to the room and stood near the door, leaning against the wall.

"Stephanie's right." Paul replied running a tired hand down his face. Shane glared at them as Stephanie now sported a triumphant smirk on her face.

"If we don't act fast then we're screwed. With Dwayne back, Team WWF has the advantage. Stone Cold is the only one on our team who has had experience with him along with Taker and Kane. Rhyno and Booker don't stand a chance!"

Stephanie's eyes lit up. "Why don't we take Taker and Kane out! Forget Dwayne! With those two gone, dad will only have one of the original members left and will be at loss about what to do."

Paul grinned but Shane remained stoic. "No." Was all he said.

Rob was confused. Why would Shane not agree to a plan like that? Sure it was unethical and downright unfair but it made sense. If you wanted to defeat an enemy you got rid of their strongest defences.

"What do you mean no?" Paul asked puzzled. "Stephanie has..."

"I know it sounds good but that's not what we're going to do." Shane said coolly cutting the other man off.

"I want Dwayne to pay for what he did to me and I want him to realise that no-one and I mean no-one humiliates Shane McMahon and gets away with it. Besides..." He grinned. "He has something of interest to me and with him finally out of the picture I can get what I want."

"So you get Stratus?" Stephanie spat out. "What's so good about that?"

Shane stared at his sister with a sinister smile. "Let's just say once I have what I want, I'll make sure you both have what you want."

"You mean you're willing to give up the Chairman position for a woman?" Paul asked stunned.

Shane nodded. "Oh, I'll still make sure I have an input but I think you two are better at running the show than I am."

Paul grinned and Stephanie had a smug smile on her face as spoke to her brother.

"That sounds good but what if Trish doesn't want you?"

Shane winced as another shooting pain flared up at his neck. "Then I'll just have to take her by force then won't I?" He said through gritted teeth.

Rob heard enough. He quickly walked away before he was seen or heard. He felt sick. He knew exactly what Shane meant. Dwayne and Trish were in trouble...serious trouble and if he didn't act soon then it would be too late.

They'll never believe me...I'm in ECW for Pete's sake! He stopped and cursed out loud. He had to tell someone but who? If he told anyone from the Alliance they would tell Paul or God forbid Shane. He shuddered at the thought of what would happen to him then.

You could try and talk to Jeff. Rob sighed, he knew Jeff was close to Trish but it was hopeless. They had been locked in a bitter rivalry for weeks.

Oh Yeah, I can see it now. "Hey Jeff, I know I've been acting like a total dick to you for the last few months and trying to ruin your career but can I talk to you for a few minutes about my boss's evil plans?"

He sighed once more and stared up at the ceiling. "I really hope someone can hear me up there because I could really use some help right now."

It was going to be tough but somehow, just somehow Rob knew he had to try and warn either Trish or Dwayne about Shane's intentions...before it was too late.

A.N. I am really sorry for the overdue update! I would have updated sooner but my gran got taken into hospital about 2 weeks ago due to food poisoning but she's okay now and I have just been getting back into writing etc.

I am hoping to update my other stories on Monday and Tuesday and am going to try and post chapter 5 at some point this week as well.

Thanks for the reviews and I hope this chapter was alright!