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One After Another	By : Jephelps77 Category: WWF/WWE > General Views: 2370 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the celebrities of WWE/WWF. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-One After Another
- 1
Title: One after Another
Author: WWEgirl1977
Characters: Jennifer, Leslie, Triple H, Trish Stratus, Batista, Stephanie & Vince McMahon, and various WWE wrestlers.

Feedback: Either way, just be gentle, it’s my first time….

Disclaimer: I don’t own WWE and make no money off this, it’s just a good little fantasy and I mean no offense to anyone. Enjoy!

I was sitting at my new desk across from Leslie at WWE headquarters in Connecticut. I looked over at Leslie, who was already knee-deep in her new story line, when Stephanie McMahon walked in. Leslie looked up as Steph greeted everyone and rolled her eyes. I giggled quietly, remembering how much Leslie could not stand Steph. Steph walked over to us and started talking to us about a new assignment. I NEED THE TWO OF YOU TO START A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRISH STRATUS AND HUNTER. Leslie made a face and Steph gave her a look. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, LESLIE?

NOPE. WHATEVER THE BOSS WANTS. Leslie glared at her angrily. I gave Leslie a look to tell her to shut up and she just went back to work. That night, Leslie and I headed back to our apartment with a load of Chinese, some wine coolers, and readied ourselves for a long night ahead. We set everything on the table and sat with the food and my laptop. After we discussed where to head with the storyline, I started typing everything out. As the night progressed, the story fell into place. Basically, Hunter would save Trish from a potentially fatal beating at the hands of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Then she would start to escort him to the ring and, well, one thing would lead to another, angering SCSA to the boiling point and leading to a high profile title match at UNFORGIVEN, which was three months away. We had been working for about 6 hours when we completed the whole storyline, including matches and outcomes to lead to every little detail. We went to sleep on the couch and woke up the next morning late for work. Leslie called Vince McMahon, our boss, and let him know we would be in his office as soon as we were in the building. She hung up quickly and we got ready to go. But, when we got to the office, everything was in a shambles. I went up to Vince's office and found his secretary crying.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHAT'S GOING ON?

STEPHANIE MCMAHON IS IN THE HOSPITAL. SHE GOT ATTACKED LAST NIGHT AND WAS BEATED AND RAPED SEVERLY.

OH MY GOD. WHAT HAPPENED? DO YOU KNOW?

HER ATTACKER KNIFED HER SO BADLY, THEY COULD NOT RECOGNIZE HER EXCEPT FOR HER PURSE BEING WITH HER. THEY TRIED TO GUT HER. THEN THEY RAPED HER WITH THE KNIFE. THEN THEY DRAGGED HER TO AN ALLEY AND RAN HER OVER WITH A CAR. TWICE. MR. MCMAHON TOLD ME THAT THE POLICE TOLD HIM THAT. THEY ALSO THINK SHE KNEW HER ATTACKER INTIMATELY. ISN'T THAT TERRIBLE? As she finished the story, the phone rang and she answered it. I looked at Leslie and she was crying. I walked over to her and asked her what was wrong.

I LENT HER ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRESSES FOR A DATE SHE HAD LAST NIGHT. I HOPE SHE WASN'T WEARING IT WHEN SHE GOT ATTACKED. I rolled my eyes and walked back to the secretary, who was off the phone.

SHE'S DEAD... THE POLICE THINK ONE OF THE WRESTLERS DID IT. MR. MCMAHON IS ON HIS WAY BACK HERE, AND HE IS PISSED. HE CALLED A MEETING FOR ALL THE WRESTLERS, ONLY THE MEN. AND YOU GUYS TOO.

WHY US? Leslie was perplexed.

HE WANTS TO SEE WHO HAS INFORMATION. HE HAS NO CLUE WHO SHE IS DATING OR WHO SHE SAW LAST NIGHT. BEST FOR YOU TWO TO GO TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM AND WAIT. We went to the room and all the men were already there. They had no clue what was going on. They didn't even know what was going on. We walked in and all the wrestlers got up. They were always very polite to us girls. It shocked me to think that one of them was a murderer. We sat down in the chairs that John Cena and Rob Van Dam got out of for us. After about fifteen minutes, Vince came in with his eyes blood shot from crying. He sat down in his chair and sighed.

STEPHANIE WAS ATTACKED LAST NIGHT. THE POLICE SEEM TO THINK ONE OF YOU GENTLEMEN IN THE ROOM MAY HAVE DONE IT. I NEED ANSWERS, NOW! Vince slammed his fist down and startled Leslie and me. I looked over at her and the around the room. Suddenly, John Cena looked at Vince.

I SAW HER AND STEVE AUSTIN AT THAT LITTLE BISTRO DOWNTOWN DURING LUNCH. THEY WERE NUZZLING AND LOOKED REALLY COZY. Edge looked over at Leslie and smiled. She looked away and blushed. I watched and was totally sickened. Vince got up and ran out of the room, searching for SCSA. We all sat in the room, not sure what to do. Triple H got up and demanded to know what was going on. I stood up and told everyone what exactly had happened. When Edge heard, he got a sick look on his face and ran out of the room. Leslie got up and ran after him. Everyone knew that she and Adam Copeland were a couple, even though they tried to keep it a secret. Dating the wrestlers was strictly forbidden. It was Vince's cardinal rule. Their relationship could cost them their jobs. Everyone disbursed and I stayed behind. I sat down and buried my face in my hands. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. Chris Jericho was standing there.

YOU OKAY? I nodded. DO YOU FEEL LIKE TALKING ABOUT IT? I shook my head. When Leslie and I started at WWE, Chris and I had become friends. He enjoyed my highlight reel storylines and we always spent one lunch a week setting them up. I got up and hugged him and started to cry. I heard the door open and looked up. Vince was standing there and didn't look happy about what he saw. I stepped away from Chris and started to apologize to Vince. He lifted his hand to quiet me and told us to leave. We walked out as Vince got on the phone and went to my desk. Leslie was sitting at hers with Adam.

WHAT A FUCKING MESS. Adam looked at Leslie. DO YOU FEEL LIKE GETTING SOME DINNER? She nodded and I told her not to worry, that Chris would probably drive me home. I gathered my laptop and we left. Chris didn't want to leave me home alone, but I told him Leslie would be home soon and I would be all right for a little while. He left and I sat in the living room waiting for Leslie to get home. I fell asleep on the couch waiting and when I heard Leslie's key turn, I woke up. I watched her walk in and quietly shut the door.

HEY. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

OUT. I'M TIRED. I AM GOING TO BED, OKAY? I nodded as Leslie walked quickly past me to her room. I got up and went to bed myself. The day of Steph's funeral, the police called Vince to tell him that Austin's body had been found in an alley in San Antonio. Apparently, he had been in a bar room fight and gotten killed. Vince was not to upset about that news. The funeral went quietly and when it was over, I stood with Triple H and Chris talking and saw Leslie with Adam. Adam was talking to her and then he grabbed her arm. She looked up at him and nodded and he dragged her out of the room. I walked after them and watched Adam literally throw Leslie into his car. They left quickly and Chris came up behind me. He asked where they were going and I told him I wasn't sure. Chris asked me to have dinner with him and I agreed. We went out and ate and talked about all sorts of things. When I realized how late it was, we went back to the apartment and I invited Chris in for a drink. We walked into the apartment, but all the lights were out, except for Leslie's bedroom light. I walked back to her room.

LESLIE? I heard the water running in the bathroom and walked in. Leslie was standing at the sink with a busted lip and blackened eye. She looked at me and smiled weakly. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? CHRIS! GET IN HERE! Chris ran in the bathroom asking what was wrong. As soon as he saw Leslie, he started to freak out.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON LESLIE? WHAT HAPPENED?

NOTHING. I.... FELL DOWN THE STAIRS. I looked at her. Leslie was clumsy anyways, so I asked her how it happened. I WAS WALKING DOWNSTAIRS FROM ADAM'S APARTMENT AND FELL. IT WAS WET. I'LL BE OKAY, REALLY. JUST LET ME CLEAN MYSELF UP. She proceeded to shove Chris and I out of the bathroom and slammed the door in our faces. Chris looked over at me, puzzled. I shrugged and told him she does fall a lot. I had taken her to the ER at least 50 times for twisting her ankle. Chris got ready to leave, and as he headed to the door, Leslie came out of the bathroom and walked quickly to the kitchen for a bag of ice. I noticed she also had a bruise on her cheek. Her fall had to have been pretty bad. Chris stood at the door watching Leslie walk thru and when we were alone, told me he had a nice time.

ME TOO. I NEEDED TO HAVE A NIGHT OUT. IT HAS BEEN A HELL OF A LONG FEW DAYS HERE LATELY. IT WAS FUN. WE SHOULD DEFINATELY DO IT AGAIN.

WHAT ABOUT VINCE AND THE RULES?

WELL, TRISH IS DATING DAVE SO, WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL RIGHT? I leaned towards him and kissed him gently on his cheek. I shut the door and walked back to Leslie's room to check on her. I was about to knock on the door when I heard her crying softly. I decided to leave her alone and went to bed myself. I still couldn't shake the feeling that there was something very wrong going on.

The next day, late in the afternoon, Adam showed up at the apartment to check on Leslie. I let him in and he went straight to her room after he asked me if she told me what had happened. I told him what she had told me, and he nodded and went to her room. I sat in the living room and heard his voice rising in her room. I got up and walked to her room. I heard Leslie crying and Adam telling her he was going to kill her if she told anyone what happened. She kept crying and I heard him walking over to her. She caught her breath and he told her to keep her mouth shut. She told him she loved him, but that she could not continue like this if he was going to drink like that again. He told her to shut up and he wasn't going to have a stupid slut tell him what to do. She told him he couldn't hurt her again because she was pregnant. I put my hand over my mouth. I heard Adam chuckle. He told her he didn't really care and that the baby wasn't probably his anyways. I walked away from the door to the room and walked back to the living room. I heard Adam come out of the room and looked at him, frightened. He asked me what was wrong and I shook my head. He walked out of the apartment and I went back to the room. Leslie had locked the door and I knocked softly. LESLIE? ARE YOU OKAY? She didn't answer. I AM GOING TO MY ROOM. IF YOU NEED ME, I WILL BE IN THERE. I walked back to my room and shut the door. I called Chris and told him to come over. When he got there, I told him what happened and he was furious. He started to go to her room, but I stopped him. YOU CAN'T TELL HER I KNOW. I WAS LISTENING TO THEIR CONVERSATION. I DON'T WANT HER TO GET MAD AT ME. Chris sat on my bed and put his head in his hands. I sat down next to him and leaned on his shoulder. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? SHE IS GOING TO HAVE A BABY WITH HIM. He sighed.

I DON'T KNOW, JEN. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING THOUGH.

A few weeks later, I had to take Leslie to the ER when she came home from Adam's beat up and cramping. She lost the baby. When we went home and she called Adam, he told her that the baby must not have been his because his child would have been stronger. After a few weeks, she came back to work. On her first day back, Paul (Triple H) was walking over to my desk with the new storyline I had set up for him and Trish. JEN, LESLIE, WE HAVE TO TALK. Paul was angry and Trish was running up behind him. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH YOU GUYS WRITING THIS CRAP? TRISH AND ME GET TOGETHER? WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS?

STEPH'S. IT WAS THE ONE SHE WANTED US TO DO.

WELL, THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE STORY ANY LESS CRAPPY. DID VINCE SEE IT?

YES, AND HE APPROVED IT. IT SEGWAYS REALLY WELL INTO YOU LOSING THE BELT AND THEN GETTING IT BACK. PLUS, IT GETS TRISH A LITTLE MORE AIRTIME AND THE FANS WILL LIKE THAT. Paul looked at me and rolled his eyes. LOOK, PAUL. IT WILL BE FINE. DON'T WORRY. WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING. JUST GO WITH THE FLOW. Trish storms over to us.

LOOK, JEN. I WANT THIS STORY TO BE RE-WRITTEN WITH DAVE AND ME. I THINK HE WOULD MAKE A BETTER CHAMPION THAT PAUL ANYWAYS. Paul glared over at her.

YOU KNOW WHAT, TRISH? STACY KEIBLER SHOULD BE THE WOMEN'S CHAMP! SHE WOULD BE MUCH MORE GRACIOUS AND LADYLIKE! Trish gawked at him and lifted her hand to slap him. Leslie grabbed her hand to stop her.

HEY! YOU KNOW WHAT TRISH? YOU NEED TO JUST GO WITH THE STORY WRITTEN LIKE THIS. YOU SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH IT. AND YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF. PAUL IS A GOOD GUY AND HE DESERVES BETTER. SO DOES DAVE, FRANKLY. Trish stared at Leslie and turned and stormed off. GOD SHE IS A MAJOR LEAGUE BITCH.

NO KIDDING. Paul answered her. She laughed and went back to her desk.

A few months later, Chris and I were in the living room one night watching movies. It was late and Leslie was out with Adam. I was worried every time she went with him. It had been five months since her first miscarriage and she had gotten beaten up and lost 2 more babies. I always waited up for her and never let her know I knew about her beatings. That night though, everything changed. Leslie got home and stumbled past us and to her room. I went in after her and she was lying in the hallway, covered in blood. I screamed for Chris to call Paul. I was not going to stand by and let her get hurt anymore. Chris called and when Paul arrived, they came and saw her. Paul had to go to the restroom and throw up he was so shocked. Her eyes were both swollen and her arm was bent in a bad direction. She had dried blood all over her face and shirt. Chris cussed and hit the wall. I grabbed a washcloth and started to clean her up. Paul came over and sat next to her. She was unconscious. I got up and took Chris to my room. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, CHRIS. I CAN'T STAND THIS ANYMORE. I WILL NOT LET HIM KILL HER. I started crying and Chris took me in his arms and held me. He lifted my chin to look at him and promised to do something. He got on the phone and called Vince. Vince had no sooner hung up than he showed up at my door. He had brought his personal physician with him to check her out. While the doctor checked her, I took Vince to the living room and told him what all had been happening and how long it had been going on. Vince's face got redder as he grew angrier. I got up after I finished the story to see what was going on. The doctor came out and said she had broken ribs and a broken arm. She had lost some blood, but not enough to make a difference. She and the baby would be fine. I was shocked. She was pregnant again. I smiled. Leslie had always wanted to be a mother. I went back to the living room to find Vince and Chris whispering. When I came in the room, they got quiet and stood up. I told them what the doctor had told me. Vince was relieved. He told me the doctor was at our disposal and that he had to leave to take care of some business. He excused himself and I walked over and hugged Chris. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BABY IS GOING TO BE OKAY. LESLIE IS GOING TO BE SO PLEASED. Chris stroked my hair as I wept. He pulled away from me and told me that there was something he had to do, but not to worry. Vince was going to take care of everything. Tomorrow, Adam would be invited to a bar to pick some girls up and get his in the end. I looked straight at Chris. PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IF I LOST YOU. Chris smiled and told me not to worry. He insisted that I take him to the airport in the morning as planned and that I had to stay at his apartment with Leslie. The next morning, we moved all mine and Leslie's things to Chris' house. After Leslie was settled and asleep, I took Chris to the airport and when they called the flight. I held on to him for as long as I could. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD CHRIS, BE CAREFUL. He kissed me goodbye and walked away. He stopped right before the gate and put his bag down. He ran back over to me and gave me 2 envelopes. He told me not to open them until he was on the plane and kissed me passionately. He took my breath away. He stepped back and touched my face. I smiled and he ran back to the gate. I watched his plane take off and opened the first envelope.

DEAR JEN,

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW. I WILL LOVE YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND EVEN LONGER. WILL YOU MARRY ME?

CHRIS.

I smiled and opened the second envelope. In it was a beautiful engagement ring. At that exact moment, a man walked up to me with a bouquet of red roses and a cell phone. I took the phone from him and said hello. IS THAT A YES? Chris said from the plane. I started to cry and smiled.

ABSOLUTELY. I told him to be careful and hung up the phone. I went to Chris' house and there was a message on the machine. It was from Chris.

JEN, IT'S CHRIS. I DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET YOU, BUT I NEED YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU AND LESLIE ARE IN A PUBLIC PLACE FOR MOST OF THE EVENING. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY, JUST TRUST ME. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, BABY. I JUST CAN'T LET ADAM HURT LESLIE ANYMORE. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD. I WISH I WERE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW WITH MY ARMS WRAPPED AROUND YOU. He sighed. MAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE BAD. I BETTER GO. PLEASE STAY SAFE AND DO WHAT I TOLD YOU. REMEMBER, I LOVE YOU. I teared up. I heard Leslie walk into the room.

WHAT'S GOING ON? I turned to look at her, tears filling my eyes.

NOTHING. JUST A MESSAGE FROM CHRIS. I looked down at my ring and smiled. I worried about what was going on. Leslie could tell something was going on. LET'S GO GET SOME DINNER. Leslie agreed and when we were about to leave, there was a knock at the door. I opened it, and Paul was standing there. PAUL? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? CHRIS TOLD ME YOU WERE GOING WITH HIM.

VINCE DECIDED TO KEEP ME HERE AND CHRIS AGREED. WHY? WHAT'S WRONG? I looked at Leslie and told him nothing, but my stomach dropped about 50 feet. I suddenly got scared. We left and went to dinner. I couldn't eat a bite. Leslie and Paul talked and laughed about different things. Leslie could tell something was wrong, but I didn't tell her anything. Leslie excused herself and went to the restroom and I told Paul what was going on. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. I TOLD CHRIS NOT TO DO ANYTHING. Paul hit the table with his fist. Leslie came back and demanded to know what was going on. VINCE SENT CHRIS TO NEW ORLEANS AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TOO. JEN WANTED TO MAKE SURE CHRIS WAS ALL RIGHT. SHE JUST HAS A BAD FEELING. BUT, HAS SHE TOLD YOU THE NEWS ABOUT HER AND CHRIS? THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED. Paul picked my hand up and showed Leslie the huge ring on my finger. Leslie beamed and told me she was so happy for me. I smiled and stared at my ring and wondered what Chris was doing at that exact moment. I sighed and remembered he would be home tomorrow night and we could start to plan our wedding. We drove back to Chris’ condo and I went upstairs to Chris' room. I had never been in there yet. I looked around. He had a huge, comfy bed with brown, masculine covers and pillows. I sat down and grabbed his pillow and breathed in his scent from the pillow. The mixture of cologne and body musk was over-whelming. I lay down and buried my face in the pillow. I sighed and got up. I walked over his dresser and noticed a picture of him and his family. They were all smiling. I smirked at Chris, who looked about 12 years old. Next to it was a framed picture of him with the WWE Heavyweight belt the first time he had won it. I ran my fingers down the picture and noticed a picture sitting on the floor. I picked it up and turned it over. I gasped as I looked at the picture of Vince, Leslie, and me from when we had gotten hired. I lowered myself to the floor and realized Chris had a picture of me from WAY before we had even become friends. The ringing of the phone startled me and I answered it. It was Chris.

HEY BABE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I AM IN YOUR ROOM LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURES. WHAT IS THIS ONE OF ME FROM WHEN I STARTED WORKING AT WWE? The line got quiet.

I GUESS I KNEW THE MOMENT I MET YOU I WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU. I MISS YOU SO MUCH.

CHRIS, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON. I AM SO SCARED AND DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY. PAUL TOLD ME HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GO WITH YOU BUT VINCE DEMANDED HE STAY HERE. WHY?

BECAUSE OF LESLIE. SHE NEEDS HIM THERE WITH HER. SHE IS SO WEAK RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ABOUT ME CHRIS? I NEED YOU HERE TOO.

BABY, LISTEN TO ME. EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE IN THE MORNING. I PROMISE YOU I WILL CALL IN THE MORNING EARLY. YOU JUST GET SOME SLEEP. AND TRY NOT TO WORRY. I HAVE TO GO NOW. DAVE IS LOOKING FOR ME. I DON'T WANT HIM TO SUSPECT. I LOVE YOU BABY.

JUST BE CAREFUL OKAY? I LOVE YOU TOO. I hung up and sighed. I went downstairs to see what Leslie was doing. I heard her talking to Paul quietly. He had started a fire in the fireplace and they were sitting on the couch talking to each other. They had all the lights off and the light from the fireplace was all there was lighting the room. I sat there at the top of the stairs and watched them and couldn't help but think about Chris. I quietly walked back to the bedroom and go into one of Chris' drawers. I found one of his original Y2J shirts and his boxers and put them on as pajamas. I got in his side of the bed and buried myself in his bed. I could smell his body all around me. Suddenly, I had this feeling of dread. I shook it off and closed my eyes, breathing him in. I fell asleep quickly and dreamt about our wedding.

The next morning, I heard a quiet tapping at the door. I lifted my head and said come in. Paul walked into the room. YOU BETTER COME DOWNSTAIRS, JEN. I looked at Paul and could tell something was wrong. I got up out of bed and went down with Paul. Leslie was sitting at the bar crying.

LESLIE? WHAT'S THE MATTER? Paul put his hand on my shoulder.

YOU BETTER SIT DOWN. I sat at the bar next to Leslie and she took my hand. THEY JUST CALLED FROM NEW ORLEANS. THEY THINK FOUND ADAM'S BODY BEHIND A BAR DOWNTOWN. SOMEONE BEAT THE HELL OUT OF HIM. I gasped and looked at Leslie. She started crying more.

OH, LESLIE. THAT'S HORRIBLE. I AM SO SORRY. I hugged her and Paul cleared his throat. His voice started to crack as he finished telling me the story. He knelt down in front of me and took my hands in his. WHAT IS IT, PAUL? My heart started to sink and my hands started to tremble.

JEN... THEY FOUND CHRIS WITH HIM. ADAM ATTACKED HIM BEFORE HE WAS ATTACKED. HE... STABBED CHRIS IN THE STOMACH AND KILLED HIM. I stared at Paul. I couldn't believe it. I threw his hands down.

NO. STOP. CHRIS ISN'T DEAD. I got up and walked away from him. WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS LIE!! Paul got up and walked over to me. Leslie was weeping heavily by now. IT CAN'T BE TRUE. LESLIE? I looked at her for the truth and got more tears. Paul grabbed me and I started to fight him. NO! I sobbed. I hit Paul's chest as he held me to him. NO! I lost control and started to scream. NO!!! CHRIS!! I couldn't stop crying or screaming. Paul took me upstairs and sat me down on Chris's bed. I wept until my eyes were burning from the tears. I couldn't believe Chris was gone. There would be no wedding, no children for us, no life together, and no future. The phone rang and Paul answered it. He talked to the person and told them to come over. I didn't know who it was, and frankly, I didn't care. All I wanted was for Chris to come walking in the front door and swoop me up in his arms and kiss me. Paul left me alone in the room when Leslie called him downstairs. I sat there in total shock. A thousand things went through my mind. I laid my head on Chris' pillow and cried more. I heard a knock at the door and looked up. Vince came in the room and sat on the bed next to me. I sat up and suddenly grew angry. It was Vince's fault. If only he had sent Paul with Chris. I stared at Vince. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I AM SO SORRY JENNIFER. THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN.

THERE WAS A PLAN? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I stood in front of him.

CHRIS WAS SUPPOSED TO GET ADAM OUTSIDE. APPARENTLY, CHRIS AND ADAM GOT INTO AN AGRUMENT AND WENT OUTSIDE TO FIGHT. THE MEN I HIRED SAW EVERYTHING.

WHY DIDN'T THEY STOP ADAM? THEY JUST STOOD THERE WHILE CHRIS WAS GETTING KILLED?

NO. THEY STEPPED IN AND TOOK CARE OF ADAM, THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW ADAM HAD STABBED HIM. WHEN THEY FINISHED ADAM, THEY WENT TO CHRIS AND MADE HIM COMFORTABLE. ALL CHRIS COULD SAY WAS HOW MUCH HE LOVED YOU. HIS DYING WORDS WERE OF HIS LOVE FOR YOU. I sat down on the floor in front of Vince and cried.

WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS? DON'T YOU KNOW THIS IS KILLING ME? I cried with all my self and body. I rocked back and forth. OH GOD. PLEASE LEAVE. GET OUT!!! Paul had heard me yelling at Vince and came running. I got up and walked over to the window as Vince got up and tried to walk toward me. Paul came in and I was yelling at Vince to leave.

I AM SO SORRY JENNIFER. Vince walked out of the room and left me there with Paul. I couldn't stop crying. I ran to Paul and he held me as I cried. The next 2 days were agony. I called Chris's family and they flew in to make arrangements. The story told was that Adam and Chris were in a fight outside the bar with some unsavory characters and killed. No questions were asked. I stayed in Chris' room for the most part, crying. I didn't eat or sleep. Leslie had recuperated enough to handle Adam's funeral and kept up the appearance of being the "mourning" lover. She had found out she was pregnant again and knew this time she would be ok. Paul stood with her. He was her rock. They grew closer over those days spending more time together. She and I stayed at Chris' house. His mother decided I should stay there for now. The funeral was horrible. I couldn't hold myself together for anything. I finally got up the strength to walk over to his coffin and say my peace when everyone had left except Paul and Leslie. I stood there staring at Chris' lifeless body. I put my hand on his cold face. A tear dropped from my face to his.

OH, CHRIS. THIS IS THE WORST THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE HAPPENED. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH OUT YOU? I whispered. I CAN'T DO THIS.... LIFE.... WITHOUT YOU HERE WITH ME. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? I looked at Paul and Leslie sitting together watching me. I KNOW PAUL AND LESLIE ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ME, BUT IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME. NOT WITHOUT YOU LOVING ME THE WAY YOU LOVE ME. I JUST DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BE ABLE TO LOVE ANYONE THIS WAY AGAIN. OH, CHRIS. I WAS SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU LOVE ME. I leaned over and kissed his forehead. I closed the coffin. I sighed. I walked toward Paul and Leslie. I looked up and saw Dave Batista walking toward me. I forced a smile through the tears pouring out of my eyes as he walked up to me.

HI.

HELLO. Neither of us said anything for a few moments. Dave looked down at the floor nervously.

UM. I'M REALLY SORRY ABOUT CHRIS.

THANK YOU. He stared at me for a minute, like he didn't know what to say. He handed me a handkerchief and I just looked at him and raised my eyebrow at him, puzzled. He sighed and walked away. I turned back to Leslie. THAT WAS WEIRD. WHAT WAS THAT?

HE AND TRISH BROKE UP THE OTHER DAY. AND FROM WHAT PAUL TOLD ME, IT WAS UGLY. We went home and tried to go back to a semblance of normality. Leslie and I went back to work and I stayed away from Vince as much as possible. I blamed him for Chris's death. I kept a picture of Chris on my desk and thought about him constantly. Leslie and Paul had begun dating publicly. Vince had decided to allow the dating since it was better to not have it hidden, especially with Leslie pregnant. A few months after the funeral, I was working late at the office. I thought I was there alone, until I went to drop off a storyline on Vince's desk. I walked in and he was sitting there with his fire going to the fireplace, staring out his window in the dark, except for the light from the fire. He looked up at me as I came in the room.

HELLO, JENNIFER.

HELLO. I WAS JUST DROPPING OFF THIS SCRIPT.

SIT DOWN WITH ME. I sat down. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A TALK. DO YOU KNOW WHY ADAM HAD TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND WHY CHRIS HAD TO DO IT? I shook my head. I felt tears in my eyes as he continued. PAUL WAS SUPPOSED TO GO. NOT CHRIS. I TOLD CHRIS TO STAY HERE AND GO THROUGH WITH HIS PLANS TO PROPOSE TO YOU. PAUL TOLD CHRIS HE WAS STARTING TO FALL FOR LESLIE. I ALSO COULD NOT WATCH ANOTHER GIRL BE ABUSE. NOT AFTER STEPHANIE. His voice cracked. CHRIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HURT. IF WE HAD KNOWN ADAM HAD A KNIFE, IT WOULD NOT HAVE GONE THAT FAR. I BLAME MYSELF AND I KNOW YOU BLAME ME. I HOPE YOU CAN FORGIVE ME, BECAUSE WHAT I DID WAS OUT OF A FATHER'S LOVE FOR A DAUGHTER. I LOVE YOU GIRLS LIKE YOU ARE MY OWN. IF YOU HURT, I HURT. BUT I ALSO KNOW CHRIS LOVED YOU WITH ALL HIS HEART AND SOUL. THERE IS NOTHING MORE I WANT THAN TO BRING HIM BACK. I AM TRULY SORRY. Vince buried his head in his hands. I got up and took his hands in mine.

THANK YOU FOR SAVING LESLIE. AND THANK GOD FOR CHRIS SAVING HER TOO. SHE WOULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW IF IT WEREN’T FOR YOU TWO. I hugged Vince, kissed his cheek, and left.

Fall came and went. The weather grew colder. I visited Chris' grave once a week and sat and talked to him about work and Leslie. Christmas passed and spring came. Leslie was going to pop any day and we went to the hospital when it was finally time. She had been hurting for a few hours and the contractions were getting strong. Paul was getting nervous, as Leslie got more uncomfortable. But, finally, she delivered a 7 lb 8 oz baby boy, Colby Christopher Levesque. I sat in the waiting room calling everyone I could think of. I got up to leave, when I heard a man screaming. I followed the sound to a room where Ric Flair was being probed anally. He kept screaming from behind the curtain they had closed when they saw me. Dave walked over to me. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

LESLIE IS HERE. SHE JUST HAD THE BABY. A BOY. COLBY CHRISTOPHER.

THAT'S GREAT! HOW IS SHE?

SHE'S FINE. THEY ARE ALL FINE. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO HEAD BACK TO THE HOUSE.

OH. WELL, DO YOU FEEL LIKE SOME COMPANY? I hesitated at first, but decided it would be okay. Dave and I walked out to his car and he opened the door for me. I smiled thinking about the last time I had a door opened for me by a man. The last time I went out with Chris. I smiled remembering. Dave got in and smiled at me. YOU READY? I nodded. We left the hospital and went to the house. Dave insisted on walking me in and making sure the house was secure. After he was satisfied with the security, I asked him if he wanted to have some coffee. He agreed and we sat at the bar drinking coffee. We talked about Chris and I felt comfortable talking about him for the first time since he died. I told Dave about the engagement. I REMEMBER WHEN CHRIS BOUGHT THE RING. HE SHOWED EVERYONE. I HAVE TO ADMIT, I WAS A LITTLE JEALOUS. ALL HE COULD TALK ABOUT WAS HOW MUCH HE LOVED YOU AND COULDN'T WAIT TO HAVE A FAMILY WITH YOU. I smiled remembering all the times we had talked about family and children. CAN I ASK YOU A PERSONAL QUESTION? DID YOU TWO EVER... YOU KNOW.... I blushed and looked down at the floor.

NO. WE AGREED THAT IT WAS BEST TO WAIT. WE NEVER DID MAKE LOVE. I knew my face was beet red. Dave smiled and I felt a knot in my stomach. I looked away and noticed the time. Dave got up from the bar and got ready to leave. I walked him to the door and he left.

The next morning, I went to the hospital to visit Leslie and the baby. I took Colby, who I had nicknamed My Little Cheese. I told her about Dave and him visiting me for a while at the house. Leslie raised her eyebrows at me, confused. DAVE? DAVE BATISTA? TRISH'S DAVE BATISTA? EW!? I laughed. JEN, HE IS A TOTAL MONSTER!! I laughed at Leslie.

I KNOW. IT'S SO WEIRD. I GUESS I JUST NEEDED SOME COMPANY.

BUT DAVE BATISTA!?!?! THAT'S LIKE STATUTORY RAPE. HAHAHAHA!!!

COME ON! I DIDN'T SLEEP WITH HIM OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE JUST HAD COFFEE AND TALKED. I AM NOT GOING TO MARRY HIM. HE WAS VERY SWEET AND VERY POLITE. WE ACTUALLY TALKED ALOT ABOUT CHRIS.

OH, WELL, JUST BE CAREFUL. YOU KNOW HE AND TRISH WERE PRETTY HOT AND HEAVY AND SHE IS PRETTY POSSESIVE. I held Colby and he cooed at me. I laughed and Vince came in. He had a bouquet of flowers for Leslie and a basket of baby things for Cheese Boy. I gave Cheesy to his mom and hugged Vince. He asked me if I could excuse him and Leslie for a minute because he needed to talk to her. I raised my eyebrow and walked out of the room. When I closed the door, Paul was walking up.

HEY PAUL. VINCE IS IN THERE TALKING TO LESLIE. HE WANTED SOME PRIVACY. Paul looked at me puzzled and we walked downstairs to get some coffee. When we got upstairs, Vince had left and Leslie was standing looking out the window. Colby was asleep in the hospital bassinette. I cleared my throat and Leslie turned around toward us. She was crying. WHAT IS IT?

VINCE. HE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED TO CHRIS AND DAVE. OH, GOD, JEN. I AM SO SORRY. I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHY YOU WERE UPSET WITH VINCE. NOW I GET IT. She walked over to Paul and hugged him. He held her and I sat down and put my face in my hands. Suddenly, it all came back; Chris' death. It was like loosing him all over again. I wept quietly as I heard a knock on the door. Dave came in.

HEY EVERYONE. I JUST WANTED TO BRING SOME PRESENTS FOR THE BABY...WHAT'S THE MATTER? Dave put his stuff down and walked over to me. He knelt down in front of me and took my hands. He looked at me. WHAT'S WRONG? I got up and wiped my face.

NOTHING. JUST REMEMBERING THINGS. WHAT'S IN THE BAGS? Dave got up and opened the bags. He had bought Colby a tiny jersey from the Green Bay Packers and got him a tiny cheese head that the Green Bay fans wear at football games. He had even had Brett Farve autograph the jersey. I laughed at the gift and showed it to Leslie. She loved it. Paul even got a kick out of it. I got out my digital camera and took picture of everyone with the baby cheese head. After awhile, I left Paul and Leslie alone with Cheesy and went home. Leslie called me after awhile and told me she was being released in the morning, and that they were going to Paul's house to stay. She just wanted to let me know that she was sending Paul over to pack her things. I got off the phone and was a little depressed about being alone in the house. A couple of hours later, Paul showed up to get her things. Dave was with him. I perked up a little seeing Dave. HI. I suddenly felt shy and nervous.

HEY. I CAME TO HELP PAUL GET LESLIE'S STUFF. I sat down on the couch and watched them take suitcases with clothes down to Paul's Excursion. When they were done, Paul sat down next to me and sighed.

I GOT EVERYTHING. ARE YOU GOING TO BE OKAY HERE BY YOURSELF? I patted his thigh.

SURE. BESIDES, WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING OUT ON THE ROAD SOON. THAT WILL GET ME OUT OF THE HOUSE. IS LESLIE STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO WITH CHEESEMAN?

YES. WE ARE GETTING A SPECIAL BUS TO TRAVEL WITH. FLYING ISN'T GOING TO BE POSSIBLE. BESIDES, THAT WILL BE ENOUGH ROOM FOR A COUPLE MORE WARM BODIES. Paul looked over at Dave and winked. Dave rolled his eyes.

WELL, I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU GUYS. I INSIST ON IT. Paul got up and got ready to leave.

YOU COMING BATISTA?

YEAH. I WILL BE DOWN IN A MINUTE. Paul closed the door, smirking. Dave looked down and started shuffling his foot. I smiled at his nervousness and cut right to the chase.

IS SOMETHING WRONG? He looked at me and back down at the floor. I rolled my eyes. DAVE. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG?

NOTHING. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT BY YOURSELF. I smirked.

YEAH. I SHOULD BE FINE. I HAVE BEEN BY MYSELF BEFORE. I HAVE SOME PACKING TO DO. WE ARE LEAVING IN A FEW WEEKS. I GOT THINGS TO DO. I heard thunder roll outside. BESIDES, THE WEATHER IS GETTING YUCKY OUTSIDE. I MIGHT READ OR SOMETHING LATER. Dave nodded and Paul came back inside.

BATISTA, COME ON. I HAVE TO GET LESLIE AND THE BABY AND GET THEM HOME BEFORE THE WEATHER GETS BAD. Dave went out the door and Paul came over and kissed my cheek. SEE YOU LATER. CALL IF YOU NEED ANYTHING. I smiled at him as he left and Dave waved. I waved back and shut the door. I looked around the empty house as the rain started to come down. It was going to be a long night. I sighed. I had about 3 weeks before we would leave. I lay down on the bed and listened to the rainfall outside. I fell asleep and started dreaming that I was walking down a pathway. I was walking with a man and holding hands with him. Suddenly, it got pitch dark and I couldn’t see anything around me. I saw a light come out of nowhere behind me and turned to look. Chris was standing there and I started to run towards him, but he was getting further away from him. He was standing still, but I couldn’t catch him. I woke up in the room and looked around. The clock said it was 3:30 AM. I sat there and the phone rang. I picked it up.

HELLO?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP?

HEY, LESLIE. WHY ARE YOU CALLING SO LATE?

I HAD A FEELING SOMETHING WAS WRONG. ARE YOU OKAY?

YEAH. JUST TRYING TO GET SOME SLEEP. Leslie told me about Colby for a minute then we got off the phone. I went back to sleep.

A few weeks later, Leslie called to make sure I was awake and packed. She told me they were sending a car to pick me up to take me to the bus. I got out of bed and made it. When I was done, I walked over to the picture of Chris and me on the dresser and put my hand on the chain around my neck that had the engagement ring on it. I ran my fingers across it and sighed. I grabbed my suitcases and walked downstairs to wait for the car. I got outside as the car drove up and Dave got out. Dave had come over a few times over the last 3 weeks to hang out with me and we had become close friends. HEY JEN.

DAVE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

PAUL SENT ME TO PICK YOU UP AND RUN YOU TO THE BUS BEFORE I WENT TO THE AIRPORT TO CATCH MY PLANE. He grabbed my things and put them in the trunk of his car. I watched him load my things and suddenly felt my heart sink as I started to think about Chris. I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach as I watched Dave. I ran my fingers across the necklace under my shirt. I hadn’t told anyone about the necklace and didn’t plan too either. He opened the car door for me and smiled. YOUR CHARIOT WAITS, MADAM. I smiled back at him as I got in. We drove off and shared pleasant small talk as we rode. We arrived at the bus as Paul and Leslie got out to welcome us. Dave opened the trunk and Paul started grabbing the entire collection of luggage and practically throwing it in the bus.

WAIT, PAUL! SOME OF THOSE ARE DAVE’S.

Paul started throwing faster. YEAH, WELL, HE IS COMING WITH US. VINCE SAID HE WANTED DAVE TO TRAVEL WITH ME AND WE FIGURED YOU WOULDN’T MIND THE COMPANY. He then shoved us all in the bus and shut the door quickly. We had no choice but to stay. He sat Dave and me down at the table across from him and Leslie and smirked. We all sat in silence for about 5 minutes and then Dave looked over at me and I could tell he was uncomfortable. I got up and dragged Leslie to the back of the bus with me.

WHAT’S THE DEAL HERE?

NOTHING.

LESLIE…

OK. LOOK, WE LOVED CHRIS TOO. HE WAS ONE OF PAUL BEST FRIENDS. BUT YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON AND DAVE WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE. HE REALLY LIKES YOU. I sat on the bed and sighed as I put my head in my hands.

LESLIE, I JUST CAN’T. I LOVED CHRIS WITH ALL ME HEART AND SOUL. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. I got up and walked back to the table where the guys were sitting. Paul got up and went back to the room with Leslie. Dave and I sat in silence until I finally got up and turned away from him. THIS IS REDICULOUS. WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? I turned and looked and Dave and caught my breathe as he stared right through me. UM… I felt my face burning as I turned away from him again. UM… LOOK, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A BIG THING FOR YOU IS IT? Dave got up and stood behind me. He turned me around to face him and lifted my face to look into my eyes.

ONLY IF IT ISN’T GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL FOR YOU. I stared at Dave as he stared back at me. My face was burning and I knew Dave could tell it was. He put his hand on my face gently pulling me toward him. I closed my eyes for a second and was holding my breath as I opened my eyes and saw Chris standing before me. I pulled away quickly and turned away. WHAT’S WRONG?

I…CAN’T DO THIS DAVE. I’M NOT READY. I looked around and tried to find somewhere to run to. The only place I could find was the bathroom and I quickly ran in there and locked the door behind me. I leaned against the door and cried. I felt like I had betrayed Chris’ memory. After a couple of hours, I heard Leslie knocking on the door. I opened the door and came out of the bathroom. Dinner was on the table and Dave got up when he saw me come in the room. He smiled sweetly and offered me a chair next to him. I sat and we all ate in silence. After dinner, Dave cleaned the kitchen as I looked around and realized that it was getting dark and there didn’t look to be many places for us to sleep. Paul came in and showed us the two pullout beds for us to sleep on. I went to the bathroom and by the time I came out, Dave was already in his bed facing the opposite direction. I turned off the lights and lay in my bed across the bus from him. I fell asleep and when I woke up the next morning, we were stopped for the driver to get some gas. I looked at Dave’s bed and he had already gotten up and put it back. I heard him huffing on the floor and looked down to see him doing push-ups. I felt myself staring at his body. He was sweating in his tank top and shorts. I rolled over and looked away from him. When it sounded like he was done. I rolled back over and got out of bed. I got dressed in the bathroom after a shower and sat back down in the living area with a deck of cards and played solitaire. Dave came in from outside as the driver got ready to leave again. We headed back down the highway and Dave sat at the table with me and read a book. I stopped playing and looked at him. He looked up from his book and put it down. DAVE, I’M SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

SO AM I. I WAS WAY TOO PUSHY AND YOU HAD EVERY RIGHT TO REACT THE WAY YOU DID. IF ALL YOU WANT IS TO BE FRIENDS THEN, SO BE IT. I smiled at him and nodded. We started to play card games to pass the time and before we knew it, we were talking and laughing about things from our pasts. Things continued that way for a few days as we traveled. We were driving to a remote town in Mississippi when the bus broke down. It would take at least 2 days to fix. The mechanic told us about a bed and breakfast run by the older couple. He told us to go there to stay and he would let us know when the bus was ready. The inn was about a mile away from the mechanics shop, so we walked. Leslie had Colby in a stroller and Dave and Paul carried overnight bags with our stuff. We got there and met Wilbur and Ethel Smith. They had been married for 55 years and were very old fashioned. We had to tell them that we were all married and they gladly gave us room when they found out. Mrs. Smith showed Dave and I to our room, and we looked straight at the queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. There was a bathroom with a shower. I dropped my bag as Mrs. Smith left us to settle in and told us dinner was in 45 minutes. Dave stood and gawked at the bed. I sighed.

PICK YOUR JAW OFF THE GROUND DAVE. WE’RE ADULTS AND FRIENDS. WE CAN SLEEP IN THE SAME BED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. He nodded and I went into the bathroom and quickly closed the door. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I couldn’t breath thinking about us in the same bed. I cleaned myself up for dinner and went downstairs to find a plethora of food on the table. I looked at Mrs. Smith.

WELL, YOU BOYS LOOK LIKE BIG EATERS AND I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO FIX, SO I FIXED A BIT OF EVERYTHING. Paul and Dave stared at the table and I giggled. Leslie sat down at the table and didn’t know where to begin. WELL, HELP YOURSELVES BOYS. DON’T LET THE FOOD GET COLD. They happily grabbed plates and filled them up with a little of everything they could. We all sat down and stuffed ourselves full. After dinner, Paul and Leslie went walking by the lake outside and Dave went upstairs to exercise and then shower. I went to the living room where Mrs. Smith was sitting by the fireplace knitting. HELLO, DEAR. WHERE IS EVERYONE?

PAUL AND LESLIE TOOK THE BABY FOR A WALK BY THE LAKE AND DAVE IS UPSTAIRS WORKING OFF DINNER. DO YOU MIND IF I JOIN YOU?

PLEASE DO. She poured me some tea as I sat down with her and she asked me about Dave. HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN MARRIED?

UH, NOT VERY LONG.

AH, NEWLYWEDS. WILBUR AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR A LONG TIME. I MET WILBUR AFTER THE WAR. HE AND MY FIANCE WERE BEST FRIENDS.

YOU WERE ENGAGED BEFORE YOU WERE WITH MR. SMITH?

OH, YES. TO A WONDERFUL MAN. HIS NAME WAS CHRISTOPHER. I almost choked on my tea when I heard her. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIED, BUT CHISTOPHER ENLISTED TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. HE PROPOSED THE DAY HE LEFT FOR BOOT CAMP. HE WROTE ME EVERYDAY WHEN HE WAS IN CAMP, AND HE GOT SENT RIGHT AWAY TO ITALY. HE WAS THERE FOR ABOUT A MONTH WHEN THE LETTERS STOPPED COMING. I WENT TO HIS MOTHER’S HOUSE AND SHE HAD GOTTEN A TELEGRAM THAT DAY SAYING HE HAD DIED. WILBUR WAS THERE IN ITALY WITH HIM AND WHEN WILBUR CAME BACK, HE TOLD US ALL HOW CHRISTOPHER HAD TAKEN THE BULLET FOR WILBUR. WILBUR WAS GRIEF STRICKEN. HE FELT LIKE HE HAD TAKEN CHRISTOPHER AWAY FROM ME. HE SWORE TO HIM HE WOULD WATCH OUT FOR ME AND MAKE SURE I WAS HAPPY. AND HE DID THAT. HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND AND WE GREW TO LOVE EACH OTHER VERY DEEPLY. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD WAIT FOREVER FOR ME TO GET OVER CHRISTOPHER. YOU LOVED SOMEONE BEFORE DAVE? I nodded as tears fell. YOU CAN’T GIVE UP ON LOVE. A TRULY BLESSED PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO WAS LOVED MORE THAN ONCE. I looked at her a smiled through the tears. I looked at the clock and realized I had been talking to her for hours. I bid her good night and went upstairs. I went in the room and Dave was in the shower. I got changed and got into bed and laid there. I heard the bathroom door open and looked up to see a cloud of steam from the shower and Dave walking out in a pair of shorts and nothing else. I felt my heart start to race as I stared.

WHAT’S THE MATTER? I shook my head and quickly rolled over. Dave got into the bed next to me and sighed. ARE YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT ME TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR?

DON’T BE SILLY. THERE IS NO REASON WE CAN’T SLEEP IN THE SAME BED. He turned off the lamp and I lay there listening as he fell asleep. I rolled over to look at him. He had fallen asleep on his back turned slightly to toward me. He started snoring quietly and I smirked. I couldn’t resist brushing the hair off his forehead. He moved slightly in his sleep and put his arm behind me. I scooted down into the bed and slowly laid my head on his shoulder. I breathed his scent in. I closed my eyes and fell asleep and into a dream…

I was walking in a park with Dave and we were holding hands. There were flowers everywhere. I smiled over at Dave and he leaned over to kiss me. Suddenly, it went pitch black except for Dave and me. A light came out from behind me and Dave looked toward it and frowned. I turned around slowly and saw Chris standing there.

I woke up and looked around. I was still in the room with Dave, except now he had his arms around me. He had held me all night as I slept. I slowly wiggled myself out of his embrace and got showered and went downstairs for breakfast. Leslie was there with Paul and Mrs. Smith was holding Colby. I sat down and got a cup of tea while everyone else was eating. Mrs. Smith looked up at my as I sipped my tea. SO, JENNIFER, WHEN ARE YOU AND DAVE GOING TO START YOUR OWN FAMILY. I spat my tea out on Leslie. Dave had just walked in and he started to laugh. Paul didn’t miss a beat.

OH, TRUST ME MRS. SMITH. LESLIE AND I HAVE BEEN WONDERING THAT SAME THING. He looked straight at me. WELL? Dave stood there staring at Paul. I turned and looked at Dave.

WELL, WE HAVEN’T REALLY TALKED MUCH ABOUT THAT HAVE WE HONEY?

NOT IN THE LAST 5 MINUTES. Leslie smacked Paul upside his head and sat back down at the table. We ate our breakfast in silence and the phone rang. The bus was going to be ready this evening. I was relieved that we were going to be back on the road. We packed our things and the bus arrived. The guys loaded everything into the bus and I sat at the lake watching the sun set. I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and Mrs. Smith was there.

HONEY, I HAVE SOME ADVISE FOR YOU. LISTEN CAREFULLY. DAVE LOVES YOU. I CAN SEE THAT, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO LET GO OF THIS MAN BEFORE DAVE. HE WON’T WAIT FOR YOU FOREVER. She turned and walked away as Dave came up.

YOU OKAY? I nodded and got up. I took Dave’s arm in mine and kissed his cheek. WHAT WAS THAT FOR?

FOR BEING THE BEST HUSBAND I EVER HAD. Dave smiled.

I AM THE ONLY HUSBAND YOU’VE EVER HAD. We walked to the bus and left Mississippi.

The next few weeks passed quickly. Dave and I got closer spending so much time together. Our bus tour would be ending soon and Leslie had decided that Colby was going to spend a few months with Paul’s parents in Nashua, NH. They decided to meet us in Chicago for Christmas and leave after the New Year. Christmas was beautiful. We stayed in Chicago in a suite at a hotel downtown. Colby was starting to walk and was so cute with the tree. Dave and I stayed in a room together and had a ball every night watching old crappy movies from the 80’s. We ate ice cream and laughed. We lay in bed and talked. We talked a lot about his family and Chris. He held me at night when we slept and that was it. We were friends and that was it. For New Year’s, Paul’s parents decided to keep Colby so we could go out on the town. The night before New Year’s Eve, Paul and Dave had Leslie and I stay in a room alone. The next morning, we slept late and got out of bed around noon. We ate room service and stayed on the room all day. Around 7 that night, there was a knock at the door. Paul and Dave were standing there with pizza and champagne. They decided that instead of us going out, we were going to stay in the room and spend a quiet evening together. We turned on the stereo and listened to music. As midnight drew near, Paul popped the champagne and poured the 4 glasses. We each took a glass and held it up as Paul made the toast at the stroke of midnight. IT’S BEEN A HELL OF A YEAR. HERE’S TO NEW FRIENDS, FAMILY AND, PERHAPS, NEW LOVES? He looked at Dave and me and winked. My face felt like fire. I looked down and smiled. I looked at Dave and he was blushed also. We all clinked our glasses and drank. Paul took Leslie’s glass and put it down with his, then picked her up in his arms and kissed her. I sipped my champagne and looked at Dave. I figured, what the hell, downed the rest of the champagne, and pulled Dave toward me and kissed him on the mouth. He didn’t hesitate and kissed me back full on the mouth. After what felt like hours, I pulled away from him slowly staring and smiled. I was in a trance until I heard Leslie giggle and Paul clear his throat. I turned toward them and laughed. IT’S ABOUT TIME YOU TWO DID THAT! Paul grabbed Leslie’s hand and led her out of the room to their room. They shut the door behind them and I just looked at Dave, who was still holding me. I smiled and he drew me to him for another kiss. I pulled his face back to mine and saw Chris’ instead of his. I gasped and jumped away from him.

WHAT’S THE MATTER? I backed away from him and shook my head at him. I couldn’t speak, much less, breathe. I grabbed my jacket and ran out of the hotel room. I left the hotel and walked the streets of Chicago alone. There were drunks everywhere going home from their parties. I just kept walking. I didn’t know where I was going, and soon realized I had spent about 3 hours walking in circles. I went to a diner and sat in a quiet booth drinking coffee. What had I done? I had betrayed Chris. I was so confused; I didn’t know what to think. I watched as the sun rose and the New Year began. I went back to the hotel and went into my room. Dave was gone. There wasn’t even a note. I picked the phone up and called Leslie, who was waiting for the details. I told her there were no details and I was ready to hit the road. I asked her what time the car would be there to take us to the airport. She told me and I hung up the phone and packed. When I was done, I sat on the bed and looked around. Every reminder of Dave was gone. He had even taken the towel he used. Leslie called me after a while and told me the car was there. I went downstairs and got in the car as they loaded my bags. I sat down across from Dave, who had on sunglasses and was staring out the car window. He didn’t even acknowledge me as we drove to the airport. We flew in silence and when we arrived in Dallas, Dave took off on his own. I stayed with Leslie and Paul in their suite and we got ready to run the local live shows. The big RAW in Dallas was the next night. I had an uneasy sleep that night. I dreamt about Dave and Chris again, only this time, Chris held out his hand and I went with him to a park bench in a meadow. I sat down next to him.

OH, CHRIS. I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

I’VE MISSED YOU TOO. BUT, HONEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WHY ARE YOU STILL HANGING ON TO ME? I’M DEAD, BABY, AND I’M NOT COMING BACK. BATISTA IS A GOOD MAN. WHY DON’T YOU LET HIM LOVE YOU?

I JUST CAN’T. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS? I CAN’T LOSE SOMEONE LIKE THAT AGAIN? IT ALMOST KILLED ME TO LOSE YOU.

YOU CAN’T LIVE LIKE THAT. YOU HAVE TO LOVE AGAIN. He stood up and knelt down in front of me. He took my hands in his and kissed them both. He looked me in my eyes. GOD, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING. BUT IT’S KILLING ME TO SEE YOU HURT. I CAN’T HAVE ANY PEACE OR REST UNTIL I KNOW YOU ARE HAPPY. I’M NOT GOING TO LIE TO YOU EITHER. SEEING YOU WITH DAVE HURTS, BECAUSE IT’S NOT ME WITH YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU, AND MOURNING YOURSELF INTO NOTHING IS NOT THE ANSWER. I cried quietly as he spoke. I knew that this was a dream and I didn’t want to wake up. He stopped talking and looked away for a second. I looked towards what he was looking at and saw a man standing there.

WHAT’S GOING ON CHRIS?

LOOK, I DON’T HAVE MUCH MORE TIME. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU AND I AM WITH YOU NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. He stood up and stood me up with him. He took my hands in his again and held them both to his face with his eyes closed. He dropped my hands and grabbed my face and kissed me. I opened my eyes and he was gone. I was back in my hotel room alone. I sat up and looked at the clock. It was 3 in the morning. I called the front desk and asked them what room Dave was in. When they told me, I hung the phone up, grabbed my robe, and ran out of the room. He was in the room next to me the whole time and I didn’t even know. I walked to his door and pounded on the door as hard as I could. Dave pulled the door open.

JENNIFER? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? IS SOMETHING WRONG? I just stood there and stared at him. My heart was racing and I couldn’t catch my breath. I walked right past him and into his room as fast as I could so to not lose my nerve. JEN? He closed the door and walked over to me. WHAT IS IT? He turned me to him and I was staring right into his eyes. WHAT? He stared right into my soul. I could feel his breath on me quicken. I put my hand on his face and kissed him. When I pulled away, I kept my mouth centimeters away from his. Our breathing labored. I finally found words and tried to speak.

I…HAD TO TELL YOU… Before I could say anything else, he had grasped me about the waist and pulled me to him wasting no time in taking my mouth in a frenzied kiss, full of passion. His hands traveled down to grasp me keeping me pinned against him, while he purposely and almost savagely attacked my mouth with his own. I frantically moved my hands to the back of his head to keep him against me. I panted desperately for air as he released my lips and moved his head down my jaw, until he reached my pulse point, where he laved it with his tongue until I was moaning in pleasure against him. I felt him smile against my skin, his only response a tightening of his arms still around my waist. I couldn’t wait any longer; I needed to feel his skin. I reached in between us and attempted to get my shaking fingers to undo the buttons. When I heard his voice against my neck, feeling the vibrations against my skin, I stopped my fumbling and tried desperately to concentrate on his words. I was oblivious to everything except Dave. We finally got our clothes off, as he continued letting his mouth travel over my skin, teasing my nipple as his hand moved down along my stomach to rest lightly over the curls. Slowly he traced a finger down my slit, as he raised his head from my breast.

OH GOD, JENNIFER, I HAVE WANTED THIS FOR SO LONG. He could barely control his voice from emitting a growl. I could feel his hot breath on my face. He ran his hand along my stomach again this time catching my slippery clit with his finger. My eyes shot open and locked with Dave’s brown ones. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT THIS? He growled out at me, again grazing over my bud. I gasped and nodded.

YES, DAVE, YES…I WANT YOU. I begged, my voice catching as he used his thumb suddenly pressing it flat against my sensitive nub. I screamed as I felt the waves of my orgasm crashing around me, and then suddenly I was filled with him completely. I clutched desperately at his back as he braced his weight on both arms, and began moving inside of me slowly, not giving me any time to adjust, but keeping the burning flames of my orgasm rolling through me. I was incapable of legible thought at the moment, my senses completely filled with his body moving inside mine. I pulled my legs up and wrapped them around his waist, using my hands to encourage him on. I met his every thrust groaning in bliss at the way he seemed to make me feel so complete. Dave closed his eyes and pulled away from my face, panting heavily. He stopped and looked me in the eyes.

JEN, YOU’RE A VIRGIN. I put my hands on his face and kissed him.

PLEASE DON’T STOP. He thrust deeper and faster, slamming into me, groaning and moaning after each stroke. Soon, we began to run into each other, and he sat back on his knees pulling me up with him, so I was sitting in his lap. He used his hands on my hips to move me on him, thrusting up against me with each downward motion of my body. I held on to his shoulders and forced myself to keep moving on him, as I began to tremble again. Dave kept me moving as I tightened around him. Pulling me down hard while he arched up into me, he let out a long groan as he found his release. Both panting heavily, he watched as my head lolled against his shoulder while they both came down from our high. We collapsed on the bed, spent, and I fell asleep for the first time peacefully in Dave’s arms.

The next morning, knocking at the door woke us up. Dave kissed my forehead and got out of bed. He put on a robe and went to the door. I heard Paul’s voice and Dave telling him that now was not a good time. I quickly got out of bed and put my robe on and went to the door. When Leslie saw me she screamed. EXCUSE US PAUL, BUT CAN WE MEET YOU DOWNSTAIRS FOR LUNCH IN ABOUT, SAY, AN HOUR? THANKS. I grabbed Dave back in to the room and slammed the door in Paul’s face. Dave pulled me into his arms and we kissed. I had to stop him though, so we could shower and get downstairs. I was sure that Paul and Leslie were desperate for details. I went to my room to get dressed and saw my engagement ring necklace. I started to put it on, but changed my mind and put the ring in my makeup bag instead. I ran out of the room and met Dave in the hallway. He took my arm in his and we went downstairs together. When we got to the restaurant, Leslie spotted us and ran over to me and hauled me to the women’s restroom. I told her what happened and she squealed. She hugged me and we went back to the table where Paul was talking to Dave. I could tell Dave was blushing and I sat next to him and took his hand in mine. That night, Leslie and I sat in the skybox with Vince to watch the RAW show. Everything was great. The main event was HHH vs. Batista. Leslie and I laughed about who’s ass was going to get kicked. I reminded her that HHH couldn’t win a match without cheating. The match started and Dave was stomping HHH a new butt, but HHH came back and started to whoop Dave. He got to pull his Pedigree on him and knocked Dave out. The match was over and HHH had won. I laughed at Leslie and stuck my tongue out at her, then looked down at the ring. Dave was still not moving. I held my breath, as he lay there motionless. I ran out the door and to the backstage area in time for the EMTs to have moved him to the back. When he got back there, Paul was with him. I ran over to him and knelt down to him. DAVE? CAN YOU HEAR ME? He didn’t respond. I couldn’t believe this was happening. OH, GOD, PLEASE WAKE UP. I put my hand on his face. DAVE? I started to cry. Everyone standing around me was silent. I couldn’t breathe. DAVE, PLEASE WAKE UP. I CAN’T LOSE YOU TOO. I leaned to his ear. I LOVE YOU. I looked at his face just as he started to open his eyes.

JENNIFER? I sighed with relief. The doctor came over and took Dave into the locker room to check him out. I waited outside with Leslie and Paul. When the doctor came out, he told us Dave had a concussion and a broken rib. He would be fine, but no wrestling for 3 months. I knew Dave had to be crushed. Wrestlemania was in 2 months and there was no way he would be able to recuperate in time. I stood outside the locker room waiting for the doctor to let me in. I finally went in and found Dave sitting on a bench half dressed with him head in his hands.

HEY. He looked up when I spoke. I sat down next to him and took his hand in mine. ARE YOU OKAY?

JUST A LITTLE SORE. PISSED MORE THAN ANYTHING. He got up and started pacing the room. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR 3 MONTHS? SIT AROUND? I CAN’T DO THAT. He slammed the locker door and I jumped. I had never seen him so angry. He leaned toward the locker and looked at me and could tell I was startled. He walked over to me and put his arms around me. I’M SORRY; I DIDN’T MEAN TO SCARE YOU. He kissed my cheek and we sat there for a minute not talking. Vince came in and asked Dave how he was. He told Dave he didn’t want to sit him out for the next 3 months, but he had no choice. He did, however, have an idea what to do with him until he was released. He asked me to come out to the hallway and we talked about what we could do. Vince asked me about a story where Bischoff, the current GM of RAW could leave on a sabbatical and Dave would be in charge on the show for the time. That would lead to Dave setting up and title shot at the PPV after Wrestlemania. I lit up. It was perfect. I told Vince I would get right on it and talk to Dave. Vince thought it might be a good idea to let Dave help with the storyline and I agreed. I ran into the locker room and told Dave the news. He loved the idea and even thought helping me write might be fun. Things started to look better after that. We stayed in our hotel rooms a lot and worked. We also talked and watched old movies and laughed. We got to Houston for Wrestlemania and the PPV went perfectly. Everything played out the way it was supposed to and the show was a great success. Afterwards, everyone went out to celebrate, except Dave and I. We decided to go to the hotel room and have an evening to ourselves. Dave and I got out of the elevator on our floor and walked down the hall holding hands. I leaned my head on his shoulder and smiled as he kissed my head sweetly. I unlocked our room and I walked in ahead of him. I was aghast. Dave had set up lit candles and sent up strawberries and champagne. There were dozens of roses all around the room. I smiled and turned to Dave, who had just closed the door and locked it behind him.

WHAT IS ALL THIS, DAVE? IF I DIDN’T KNOW BETTER, I’D SWEAR YOU WERE TYING TO SEDUCE ME. Dave walked over to me and took my hand and pulled me toward him. He took his hand a caressed my face slowly.

I’M GLAD WE DECIDED NOT TO GO OUT WITH EVERYONE ELSE. Closing my eyes, I felt his lips moving softly against mine. Slowly opening my mouth under his, I felt his tongue tentatively tracing the inside of my lower lip very lightly. Sighing, I ran my hands up from his shoulders to encircle his neck. Groaning softly in response, he cupped either side of my jaw gently with his palms while kissing me with increasing passion. When we finally ended the kiss we were both flushed and breathless. WOW. He whispered, as he looked me in my eyes.

I blushed. WOW IS RIGHT. He lifted me into his arms and we fell onto the bed devouring each other with kisses. Before I knew it, we were both undressed.

C’MERE, YOU. He whispered to me, grasping me about the waist and pulling my body on top of him. Straddling his hips with my legs, I leaned forward and gave a slight gasp of surprise as his arms suddenly crushed my chest to his. His lips greedily devouring the soft skin of my throat and then making their way leisurely down to my breasts, I tilted my head back to grant him further access. Running his hands lightly down the length of my back, his fingertips barely gliding over my skin, he stopped and grasped my buttocks firmly in his strong hands, kneading them. I felt him pushing my body back up into an upright position. Looking at me intently, he hands slid down to cup my breasts before he raised upright to meet me. His lips greedily searching for my nipple, I clasped his head closer to my breast and moaned as I felt his other hand gliding down between our stomachs to stroke my slick inner flesh. Running my fingers through his hair and stopping with a jolt of shock as he began to stroke my clitoris rhythmically, all coherent thought left my being as his finger entered me while his thumb continued to circle my nub gently. His lips seeking mine, I gasped my need into his mouth as a lightning bolt of sensory pleasure shot through my body. Lifting my body aloft, he brought me down swiftly onto his thick hardness to impale me, my breath leaving my body in short gasps in response. Grasping my hips with his hands, he set the pace and I followed. Beginning to reach my climax with each successive hard, rapid thrust, I felt my body began to quiver uncontrollably as it reached its pinnacle of pleasure. My inner muscles grasping him unmercifully as my orgasm tore through my soul, and I heard his gasp of pleasure in response as his release soon followed mine. Remaining in place, arms wrapped around each other and still joined as one, a feeling of intense love and tenderness welled up in my soul whose release wouldn't be denied. My eyes filled with tears that soon cascaded down my skin in a torrent of stinging warmth, the light pattering sound of their drops descending the only other sound in the room as we still fought to catch our breath. We collapsed on the bed, exhausted from our love making and slept holding each other. Sometime in the night, I woke up and heard Dave rustling around the room. I smiled and pretended to still sleep as he came back to bed and curled back up next to me. I snuggled up to him, still pretending to sleep and he kissed my head. I LOVE YOU, JENNIFER. I opened my eyes and didn’t move as I heard Dave’s breathing slowing as he fell asleep. I couldn’t believe what I heard. It was the first time he had said he loved me. I closed my eyes and slept.

I awoke the next morning feeling snug and content lying against the warmth of my human pillow. Stretching slightly against the length of the body next to mine, I smiled at the sense of serenity and happiness that was welling inside of my breast. Strong arms wrapped themselves around me in response to my stretching motions. Laughing softly, I reached a hand up to lightly tweak the tip of my captor's nose. LET ME UP. I smiled in response to the look on his face. He clearly had been awake for some time now, and was enjoying the game of possum that he was playing with me. I MEAN IT, I warned him. One brown eye opened itself up to gaze at me in response to my threat.

OR WHAT?

I’LL THINK OF SOMETHING, BATISTA. I started laughing as he began to tickle me in response to my threat, clearly calling my bluff. Soon I was shrieking with laughter and writhing helplessly on the bed, my legs became hopelessly entangled in the blankets until I soon found myself pleading for mercy. I’M SORRY, OKAY? I MEAN IT… I screamed out at him somewhat breathlessly, pleading with him to cease his early morning torture method of choice.

HMM… I DON’T THINK I FEEL VERY MERCIFUL THIS MORNING. He rolled his body over mine swiftly to straddle my hips with his thighs while holding my wrists captive above my head.

MERCY! I pleaded, giggling as I felt the sandpaper like texture of his whiskered cheek coming into contact with the side of my neck. As he started to laugh at me, there was a knock on the door. He released me from his prison, put on his robe, and answered the door as I laid on the bed waiting for him. I heard him start to raise his voice, so I got up and dressed and went to the door. Trish Stratus was standing there and was not in a very good mood. She saw me and smirked as I asked what was going on. Dave turned to me and told me to go back in the room. I raised an eyebrow at his order and tied my robe closed angrily and stared him down as I shoved him out of the way and got in Trish’s face. EXACTLY WHAT IS THE PROBLEM TRISH? She looked at Dave and then at me.

I WAS JUST INFORMING YOUR LITTLE BOYFRIEND THAT OUR ARRANGEMENT IS STILL IN EFFECT. She back into the hall and Dave walked over to her.

WHAT ARRANGEMENT? I stared right at Dave, who had a look of complete terror on his face.

OH, THE ARRANGEMENT THAT HE HAS TO KEEP SLEEPING WITH ME TO KEEP HIS JOB. I looked at Dave, then Trish. I couldn’t find words; my ability to speak had completely left me. I stared at Trish’s smug face and then I looked at Dave. I walked over to him and slapped him across his face.

JENNIFER, I CAN EXPLAIN. I walked into the hotel room and locked him out. I stood in the room against the door listening to him knock and plead. JEN, PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR AND LET ME IN. YOU LEFT ME OUT HERE WITH NO CLOTHES. I walked over to his side of the bed and grabbed a t-shirt and pants. I opened the door and threw them at him and closed the door and locked it again. I started to cry and sat on the bed. I stayed there all day and when the phone rang, I picked it up and it was Leslie. She asked me what was going on and I started crying again explaining the situation. She told me that Dave was sleeping with Trish when we first started at WWE and then when He and I started to see each other, he quit sleeping with her. She got upset and now Trish is starting to us it to get Dave back. Leslie told me to forgive Dave and let it go. Trish was in his past and I was his future. I asked her why he didn’t just tell me in the first place and she told me I didn’t give him the chance. I closed my eyes and sighed. When I got off the phone, I looked over at the hotel room door. I walked over to the door and opened it slowly. Dave jumped and got up to his knees. He looked up at me and I saw the hurt in his eyes. I leaned down and kissed his forehead. JEN, I AM SO SORRY. I put my hand over his mouth to quiet him. We went in the room and ordered room service. We ate dinner together and went to bed. Dave held me and kissed me all night. I AM SORRY. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IF I LOST YOU. I buried my head in his chest as I fell asleep. The next morning, we flew to New Orleans. It was the day before the anniversary of Chris’ death. I was nervous all day as we flew. Dave held my hand and kept asking me what was wrong. I shrugged him off and tried to keep my mind off the day. We landed and checked into our room next to Paul and Leslie’s room. I didn’t say much at dinner and when I got out of the shower that night, I put my pajamas on and went to the bed to find Dave sitting there waiting for me. I smiled slightly and crawled under the covers next to him. I rolled away from him and turned off my lamp. Dave sat there and didn’t say anything. Then he turned on his lamp and asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing and that I was just tired. He sighed. JENNIFER, I CAN’T HELP YOU IF YOU WON’T TALK TO ME. He turned off his lamp and went to sleep. The next morning, I got up at around 10 and Dave was still asleep. I quietly dressed and went downstairs to catch a cab. I told the cab to take me to a bar and we left.

Dave got out of bed at around 2 in the afternoon, alone and confused about why he was alone. He went to Paul’s room.

LESLIE, HAVE YOU SEEN JENNIFER THIS MORNING?

NO, AND I DON’T EXPECT TO SEE HER TODAY EITHER.

WHY NOT?

DON’T YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS? IT’S THE ANNIVERSARY OF CHRIS’ DEATH. Paul walked in and asked what was going on. Dave told him.

WELL, THAT EXPLAINS WHY SHE HAS BEEN ACTING SO STRANGE THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. WHERE DO YOU THINK SHE WENT?

PROBABLY TO THE BAR WHERE HE DIED. SHE TOLD PAUL AND I SHE WANTED TO GO THERE. Time flew quickly and when it got to be dark outside, Dave headed to the bar. He went to about 5 bars before he got to the one he was looking for, and by then it was well past dark. He walked up to the bartender with a picture.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL?

YES, SIR. I’VE SEEN THE GUY WITH HER TOO. SHE WAS IN HERE ASKING ABOUT THAT GUY. SAW HIM ABOUT A YEAR AGO WITH A GUY WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR. THEY WERE SITTING HERE AT THE BAR DRINKING AND TALKING ABOUT SOME GIRL THE SNAGGLE FACED ONE WAS WITH. THE SNAGGLE FACED ONE WAS BREAKING UP WITH HER AND WAS GOING TO TRY AND GET WITH HER FRIEND. THE OTHER ONE WAS PRETTY UPSET WITH THAT AND HE TOLD THE SNAGGLE FACED GUY TO GO OUTSIDE WITH HIM. I PAY ATTENTION TO THESE FIGHTS FOR THE COPS WHEN THEY SHOW UP. ANYWAYS, THE SNAGGLE FACED ONE FOLLOWED THE OTHER ONE. I DIDN’T THINK ANYTHING AT FIRST UNTIL THESE TWO OTHER GUYS WENT BEHIND THEM. I FOLLWED THEM TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN’T GOING TO BE A KILLING AND SAW THE SNAGGLE FACED ONE GET THE CRAP KNOCKED OUT OF HIM AND PULL A KNIFE OUT OF HIS POCKET. HE ATTACKED THE OTHER GUY AND SLASHED HIM UP PRETTY BAD. THE 2 OTHER GUYS JUMPED IN AND SHOT THE SNAGGLED ONE. THE OTHER ONE WAS LYING THERE BLEEDING AND I WENT TO CALL THE AMBULANCE. WHEN I GOT BACK, THE 2 GUYS WERE GONE AND THE GUYS WERE BOTH DEAD. THERE WAS A NOTE WITH $10,000. THE NOTE SAID TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT. WELL, AROUND HERE, WE DO THAT. Dave listened as the guy finished his story. THE GIRL IS IN THE BACK WHERE THEY FOUND THEIR BODIES. SHE HAS BEEN IN HERE DRINKING AND OUT THERE FOR THE LAST HOUR.

I sat on a crate nursing a bottle of vodka. Everything was looking hazy and fuzzy. I saw the light from the door opening and shielded my eyes. I couldn’t see through the tears burning my eyes. I heard Dave’s voice and stood up as best I could. When I felt his body close to me, my legs gave out and I passed out. I woke up and Dave had me sitting in the bed. I caressed his face and leaned over to kiss him. He pulled away from me and laid me down on the bed. I passed out and didn’t wake up until the next day late in the afternoon. My bags were already packed for the flight out that evening. I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom and showered. I felt horrible and my hot shower didn’t make me feel any better. I got dressed and went into the sitting room to Dave’s suite and mine. Everyone was there reading or playing cards. They all looked at me when I came in. Everyone except Dave. He kept his face buried in the newspaper he was reading and ignored me. I sat down across from him at the table and cleared my throat. When he didn’t say anything, I lowered his paper from his face. WHAT’S WRONG? He lifted the paper reading it again. I got up and went back in the room. Leslie knocked and told me the car was there to take us to the airport. I went downstairs and we all sat in silence on our way to the airport. When we got on, we sat in our seats behind Paul and Leslie. Dave wore his sunglasses and stared out the window. When the pilot allowed us to move through the cabin, I undid my belt and turned to Dave. JESUS, DAVE! TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG! He took his sunglasses off and looked at me.

JENNIFER, I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE. I CAN’T WATCH YOU WASTE AWAY TO NOTHING IN MOURNING FOR CHRIS. I CAN’T COMPETE WITH HIS MEMORY; IT’S TOO HARD ON MY HEART. LOVING YOU COMES SO NATURAL FOR ME; IT’S WHAT I LIVE FOR. He got up from his seat and kneeled down in the pathway. He took my hand and kissed it and walked away. Paul got up behind me and looked at me as he walked after Dave. Leslie moved over next to me as I started crying. Leslie handed me a napkin. She looked at me and got up.

JENNIFER, YOU BETTER DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT AND NEED. DAVE IS NOT GOING TO WAIT FOREVER. She went toward where Dave and Paul had gone and the plane landed. I couldn’t believe what was happening. My head was swimming. I walked off the plane like I was in a trance. Leslie was with me and Paul and Dave went ahead to the hotel. I got my luggage and walked with Leslie to the car. I stopped before we left the airport. Leslie turned around and looked at me as I stood there and looked toward the ticket counter and then to her. She put her bags down and walked over to me. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS?

DAVE IS RIGHT, I AM WASTING AWAY. I NEED TO GO AND START OVER. I’LL CALL YOU WHEN I GET SETTLED. I kissed her on her cheek and walked over to the ticket counter. I asked for the next flight out and didn’t care where it went. I got on the plane and left Dave behind me to start over.

I landed in Washington, D.C. I had never been there before and figured it would be the perfect place to start over. I had a journalism degree and could get a job at the newspaper. I found a job at the library instead and got a small 1-bedroom apartment in a nice quiet neighborhood. I spent about 5 months settling before I decide to call Leslie and tell her where I am. When I finally do call her, she was shocked to hear from me. HEY, LESLIE.

JENNIFER? WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU OKAY? I’VE BEEN SO WORRIED! AND DAVE…

LESLIE, I’M FINE AND I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT DAVE BATISTA.

JEN, HE…

LESLIE…

OKAY. I’M SORRY. WHERE ARE YOU?

WASHINGTON, D.C. She giggled.

NO REALLY, WHERE ARE YOU?

D.C. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HAVE YOU BEEN THERE THE WHOLE TIME?

YES, WHY?

THAT’S DAVE’S HOMETOWN. I laughed.

GOD, I CAN’T GET AWAY FROM HIM IF I TRY, CAN I? We laughed at the irony and talked about what I had been up and she told me about Colby. She told me that she and Paul had finally decided to get married. The wedding would be in 2 months. She insisted that I come. I DON’T KNOW, LESLIE.

NO! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MISS MY WEDDING. I FORBID IT!

HEY THERE! I HAVEN’T BEEN FORBIDDEN TO DO SOMETHING SINCE I WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD! Leslie laughed and asked me for my address. I gave her the PO box number and she sighed.

I REALLY MISS YOU, GIRL. AND IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, DAVE HAS BEEN A BASKETCASE.

TELL HIM I’M FINE AND NOT TO WORRY. I hung up the phone and sat on the patio watching the sun set. I had told Leslie not to tell Dave where I was and she had promised not to. A week later I got my wedding invitation in the mail. They were getting married in Los Angeles and had sent my plane ticket. I spent the next few weeks thinking of excuses to not go and going finally won out. I packed and didn’t look back. I got to LA and Leslie met me at the airport. Paul was with her and came up to me and hugged me. They took me to the hotel where everyone was staying. The wedding was tomorrow and I was exhausted from the flight. I excused myself from the rehearsal dinner that night and went to bed. The next morning, I got up and dressed and went down to the wedding. My stomach turned thinking about seeing Dave for the first time in a long time. The wedding was beautiful and at the reception, I caught myself looking for Dave. I finally found him in the crowded room and our eyes locked. I looked away from his piercing green eyes and get ready to leave. Leslie came up and told me that she and Paul wanted to have dinner with me that night before they left on their honeymoon the next day. I agreed and met them in the hotel restaurant that night. I was shocked to sit down at the table and see Dave walk in. I looked at Leslie, who just smiled coyly. We ate in silence and afterwards, Paul got up and asked Leslie to dance. She went with him and elbowed Dave. He got up and put his hand out to me. I slowly put my hand in his and he led me to the dance floor as Clay Aiken’s THE WAY played.

I’M SORRY ABOUT HOW WE PARTED WAYS. I HAVE MISSED YOU SO MUCH. I didn’t say anything as I started to cry softly. I laid my head on his chest as we danced and wept at the same time. The song ended and Dave crooked my face towards his and leaned in kiss me. I pulled away and walked over to the table. I grabbed my purse and ran to the elevator. I pushed my floor number and went to my room. I closed the room door as Dave came running up. He pounded on the door and yelled for me. I leaned against the door as he hollered. JENNIFER? OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE. I DIDN’T MEAN TO COME AT YOU SO STRONGLY, BABY. I JUST FELL SO OVERWHELMED WHEN I AM AROUND YOU. I LOVE YOU THAT MUCH. I AM GOING TO STAY OUT HERE AS LONG AS I HAVE TO, I’LL WAIT FOREVER. I gasped as I remembered what Mrs. Smith had said. I opened the door slowly and Dave looked at me. I grabbed my face and kissed me full on the mouth. I kissed him back with no abandon. I pulled him into my room and attacked him. I started ripping his clothes off as he took mine off. Soon we were undressed and rolling on the floor embracing. I stopped while I was underneath him and tried to catch my breath. He and I were breathing hard as we stared at each other. He slowly kissed me softly. I felt his body on top of me and couldn’t help but run my hands down his back, feeling every single muscle, then down his sides. I felt his hands on my breasts, and then he started kissing my neck and chest, licking each nipple to the point of being electrified. I moaned as he started to put his hard dick into my waiting pussy. He found his rhythm and we moved together as we both climaxed loudly. When it was over, Dave fell immediately to sleep and I lay there watching him for a long time. I got up and dressed in the morning before he got up. Before I left, I walked over to his sleeping body and kissed his forehead. I truly did love him, but he needed someone without the emotional baggage I was carrying around. It really wasn’t fair to him or me. I got my bags and left quietly, ready to never see Dave again. My escape was almost complete when Leslie showed up in the lobby with her and Paul’s bags.

HEY, WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING OFF TO?

HOME. IT’S TIME TO GO. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING AND I HOPE YOU AND PAUL ARE TRULY HAPPY TOGETHER. She looked at me and grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.

YOU CAN’T LEAVE YET. PAUL AND ME ARE GOING TO HAWAII AND WANT YOU TO GO WITH US.

ON YOUR HONEYMOON?

WELL, SORT OF. THE HONEYMOON IS ACTUALLY ON THE YACHT FROM HAWAII NEXT WEEK. WE ARE GOING TO THE ISLANDS FOR A REST. I arched one of my eyebrows at her as she grinned at me. I decided to go; I needed a break anyways. I told Leslie on the plane as we were flying away from LA what happened with Dave. I ALREADY KNEW. DAVE TOLD PAUL AND ME WHILE WE WERE PACKING TO LEAVE AND YOU WERE WAITING FOR US. HE SAID YOU GOT UP AND LEFT WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING. WHY ARE YOU SO SCARED TO LOVE HIM? I teared up.

I CAN’T LOSE HIM LIKE I LOST CHRIS. IT WOULD KILL ME TO SUFFER THAT AGAIN.I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BASKETCASE AFTER LOSING CHRIS, BUT DAVE SAVED ME. AND WHEN PAUL HURT HIM AT THE RAW SHOW, IT WAS LIKE IT WAS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN. Leslie took my hand and patted it.

PUT SOME FAITH IN LOVE. MAYBE IT WAS MEANT TO BE THIS WAY. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IN FATE? NOT TO SOUND TERRIBLE, BUT IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR CHRIS, WE WOULD ALL BE DEAD. CHRIS SACRIFICED HIMSELF TO PROTECT BOTH OF US. REMEMBER THAT, JENNIFER. I nodded as I looked out the plane window. We landed in Hawaii and go ourselves settled in our hotel rooms. Paul kept a watchful eye over me; I always felt like he was a big brother. I lay out on the beach and thought about Dave. I thought about how everything had worked out. I thought about what Leslie had said on the plane. The week ended and Leslie took me with her and Paul out on the yacht for a night to get settled. I was getting ready for dinner when Paul showed up with a package. He told me dinner was going to be a little formal and to wear this. He left and I opened the box. In it was the most beautiful ivory colored dress. It was strapless and had a flowing skirt. I got dressed and went to the dining room. It was empty so I decided I was going to the top deck to wait. I stood on the deck looking out at the ocean. The night was peaceful and calm. I smelled the sweet ocean wind and ran my fingers over the ring on the necklace. I decided at that moment to get on with my life. I loved Dave and had to get him back. I wished for Dave to be there so I could tell him how much I loved him. I took the necklace off and looked at the ring, remembering the moment Chris gave it to me. I smiled to myself and threw the ring into the ocean. This is what Chris would have wanted. He told me I needed to move on with my life and I was going to do it.

WHY DID YOU LEAVE? I jumped when I heard the voice from behind me. I turned and Dave was standing there.

I GOT SCARED.

WHY?

BECAUSE, I WASN’T SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU. Dave started to walk toward me slowly.

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE, YOU’RE DAVE. LESLIE AND I USED TO MAKE FUN OF HOW MONSTROUS YOU ARE. WHEN YOU ASKED ME OUT THE FIRST TIME, LESLIE SAID, “ EWW, DAVE BATISTA? HE’S A MONSTROSITY!” He smiled at me, as he stood right next to me. He took my hand.

JENNIFER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYONE BRIGHTER THAN YOU, AND I CAN’T DENY DOING THESE THINGS I’VE DONE. I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES I SEE US HOLDING EACH OTHER. AND LATELY, YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING AROUND AT EVERYTHING BUT ME. AFTER ALL THIS TIME WE’VE SPENT TOGETHER, DON’T YOU THINK I’D FEEL SOMETHING? LOOK, LET’S START OVER OR CALL IT OVER. I looked into Dave’s eyes as he spoke and stared into mine. MY HEART IS IN YOUR HANDS. I KNOW EVERYTHING CAN CHANGE IN A MOMENT, JUST LET GO OF YESTERDAY AND TRUST THIS MOMENT. AND MY AGE DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING JENNIFER. I WANT TO SPEND TO REST OF MY LIFE WITH YOU, AND IF I CAN’T BE WITH YOU, THEN I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE CHASING YOU. I WILL NEVER LOVE ANYONE THAT WAY I LOVE YOU. I smiled through my tears. Dave reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He knelt down on one knee as I started to cry harder. MARRY ME, JENNIFER. I knelt down with him and kissed him. IS THAT A YES? I nodded and he put the ring on my fingers. GOOD, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED RIGHT NOW. The lights on the yacht went up and all our friends were there around us. I AM NOT GOING TO WAIT ONE MORE MINUTE TO BE YOUR HUSBAND. He grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the waiting preacher. Leslie threw me a bouquet and Dave and I were married immediately. When the wedding was over, everyone started to leave on their little boats to head back to the mainland. Leslie and Paul were sitting at a table, so Dave and I walked over to talk to them. THANK YOU BOTH FOR HELPING ME DO THIS. I agreed.

YES, AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR HELPING ME REALIZE WHAT I WAS DOING. I kissed Paul on the cheek and hugged Leslie. Y’ALL HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR US. Leslie smirked at Paul as they got u and started toward the back of the boat.

WELL, PAUL AND I AREN’T DONE QUITE YET. They started to get into the last little boat. Dave looked at me, puzzled.

WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING?

ON OUR HONEYMOON. THIS IS YOU AND DAVE’S HONEYMOON. LESLIE AND ME ARE GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE. YOU GUYS HAVE A GOOD TIME TOO NOW. Paul and Leslie sped off and Dave and I stood there and waved.
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