family8

Part VIII

A few months later, after a live show, Alex was waiting for Chris. She had been on the phone with the hotel. Where they were staying had messed up her room reservations. Apparently, she and Chris would have to share a room that night. This made Alex a little nervous, not that she didn�t trust Chris, or that he would take advantage of the situation, it was just odd. Sharing rooms with 'Taker had been different. �Taker treated her like he was her guardian, and Alex felt completely safe around him, peaceful even. Alex and Chris had a playful friendship, but nothing like she and 'Taker.
As she was trying to figure out how to handle this situation, Chris came in the dressing room.
�What�s up?� he asked. �Just got off the phone with the hotel, someone screwed up our reservations. We�ll have to share a room tonight.� Alex said quickly. Chris came to sit across from her. �You okay with that?� �No.� Alex replied, looking at him very seriously. �Umm, okay. I can probably double up with . . .�   �You snore.� Alex interrupted. �What?�   �I said . . you snore.� She repeated, and made loud exaggerated snoring noises. �I do not sound like that!� Chris replied indignantly. �You�re right, you sound worse." she countered smiling. �Smartass.� �Why do I always get stuck with the one�s that snore?�

As Alex and Chris got to their hotel room. Alex sat down to finish sorting through some paperwork. Her assignment to Chris was almost over and she wanted to leave notes for whoever would be taking over.
�I�m going to go look around, see if there�s anything to do around here. I�m too wired to sleep.� ��Kay, just remember you can�t bring any �friends� over. Got it?� Chris looked at her indignantly, he walked over and took her hand. �You know you�re the only woman in my life.� He replied, grinning wickedly. Alex rolled her eyes, and laughed, �What-ever!� Chris smiled and walked out of the door.

~~*~~
Alex thought she was dreaming. She could feel strong arms around her. She thought it was . . . she turned, and felt cold lips on her neck, this made her realize she wasn�t dreaming. She opened her eyes to blond hair. DEFINITELY not who she thought. She heard him murmur something.

�Chris . . . wake up. You�re in the wrong bed.� Alex griped, annoyed at being woken up.
�No I�m not.� Chris replied.   �Quit playing around, get off me.� Alex pushing Chris away. Chris held on tighter and kissed her neck more forcefully. �Chris, I mean it. Get up!� Alex, pushing harder.
�Come on, we�ve been playing around long enough.� Chris whispered, still kissing her neck.

Alex is in shock realizing Chris is being serious. �Have you lost your mind? Get up!� Finally pushing hard enough to make him release her. Alex got up out of bed. �Chris, have you been drinking or something?� she asked angrily. Chris got up and stood directly in front of her, he tried to put his arms around her waist and leans in for another kiss. �Chris! Cut it out!� pushing his hands away. �What�s with you? Look you�ve obviously had a little too much to drink and are delusional.� Alex observed, trying to sound light. Pushing Chris away again, she turns him around, and pushes him in the direction of his bed.

�Come on, no one needs to find out? It will be our secret.�   �Chris . . .behave.� Alex said annoyed. As they approach Chris� bed, he turns to face her, grabs her and pulls her down with him. �Chris, I�m serious. This is getting weird. Go to sleep, sleep it off. You�ll feel like hell in the morning, but at least you�ll be in one piece.� Hitting him in the chest as a threat and standing up. Chris lunges at her and they fall on Alex�s bed, knocking over the lamp on the side table in between the beds, it falls to the floor. �Now you�re going to wake everyone up. This is getting stupid.� Alex pushes Chris by the face to get him off her, he lands on one knee against his bed. She stands, hands on her hips. �You know you�re beautiful when you do that?� Chris slightly slurs his words. �Good grief, you are drunk!?� Alex exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air, she turns to walk around the bed. Standing he reaches for her arm, turning her around and pulling her in, kissing her on the mouth, hard. �Chris!� she slaps him. He smiles wickedly, grabs both her arms and kisses her again. Alex pulls her arms out of his grasp, and pushes him. Losing her balance, Alex falls backwards into the small table and chairs against the wall, knocking over a chair.

Gasping in pain, �We�re going to wake everyone up like this.� She thought. Sure enough someone knocks at the door. When Alex moves to answer it, Chris jumps in front of her, trying to hold and kiss her. �Stop!� Alex yells at him. Chris laughs, grabs her by her arms again and tosses her to the bed, making her scream. The knocking at the door gets more intense and is combined with yelling. �Hey! What�s going on in there? Baby girl, are you okay?� RoadDogg yelled. He and X-Pac were in the room next door. Before she can answer, Chris puts his hand over her mouth. Panic starting to set in when she sees a look in Chris� eyes. Something she hasn�t seen, and it scares her. Chris has NEVER acted like this. Realizing he�s much too strong, and is taller than her by more than a foot, she uses the only defense she can maneuver from a flat out position. She raises her knee sharply, a little off, but effective nonetheless. Still knocking louder, Jesse and X-Pac are still shouting for an answer. �Alex, open the door. Are you alright?� anger in their voices. Chris is knocked on the floor onto the lamp, making in break. Alex gets out of the bed, moves toward the door again. Chris catches her leg making her scream and drags her back, she falls against the chair, which is still on the floor, she yells in pain.

Outside the door, Jesse and X-Pac are starting to get really worried. The door across the hall opens, Kane in sweats, no shirt, and hair in front of his face. Obviously awoken by the banging on the door. He looks at Jesse and X-Pac, �Something�s wrong with Alex.� He states. �She won�t answer the door.� X-Pac answered. The noise of someone falling and a woman�s screams, makes Kane�s eyes turn to anger. Inside, Alex gets up from the floor, Chris moves toward her. On her feet, Alex can defend herself better. The fact that she�s having to defend herself at all has her mind reeling. She kicked him square in the stomach as the door flew off its hinges from Kane kicking it in. As the guys come running, Chris was standing in front of Alex with his fist raised. As if in slow-motion, Alex cringed, she put her arm up in defense, but not quickly enough. Kane, Jesse, and X-Pac weren�t fast enough either. Chris connected his right fist against Alex�s face sending her reeling back onto the floor.

Jesse ran toward Alex laying on the floor. Kane grabbed Chris by the back of the head pulling him backwards. X-Pac looked at the room wondering what the hell had happen. Seeing Alex was knocked unconscious by the blow, Kane then grabbed Chris with his other hand by the neck, and threw him against the wall.

Many of the wrestlers were on the same floor and were starting to come out of their rooms. Paul came in the room to see Kane throw Chris against the wall, but didn�t see Alex on the floor. Getting in between Chris and Kane. �What the hell are you doing?� he asked. Kane moved toward Chris, obviously not afraid of Paul. X-Pac got in between the two giants, trying to push them apart. They didn�t need more fighting.

�She�s not waking up. I think she hit her head.� Jesse declared. He lifted Alex head and cradled her in his arms. Alex murmured when Jesse touched her face. �Ooh! That hurts.� Alex said groggily, reaching for his hand as she tried to sit up, but couldn�t. �Damn, baby girl what happen in here?� he asked.   People started to fill up the room. Steve and LaShana who were in the room on the other side.   Edge, Christian, Hunter, and Chyna entered the room now. The men are trying to stand between Kane and Paul. Hunter and Chyna were checking on Chris on the floor. LaShana went over to Alex and Jesse on the floor.

�Alex, you okay?� LaShana asked. �I think so, my head hurts.� Alex whimpered. �That�s not all that�s going to hurt, baby girl. Your eye is starting to turn colors.� Jesse informed her. �Did she fall?� LaShana asked Jesse. �Like hell!� X-Pac yelled. �Chris hit her!�

�What the hell are you talking about?� Steve asked. He and X-Pac were finally able to get Kane and Paul on opposite sides of the room. Christian and Edge were on the other side with Paul.

�We came in just as Chris hit her. That�s why she�s on the floor.� X-Pac informed everyone. Kane pushing off Steve and X-Pac, moved to Alex, plucked her off the floor from between Jesse and LaShana, held her in his arms, and placed her on the bed. Kneeling next to her, took her hand in his, worried because Alex was still not quite conscious.

�What do you mean �hit� her?� Hunter asked still kneeling next to Chris, watching him come around. �What the hell do you think he means? Closed fist, hit face: her face!� Jesse yelled, rising to his feet along with LaShana. �What�s your definition of �hit�?�

Chris stands up groggily. Looking at the faces around him, realized he was in some sort of trouble. But for the life of him couldn�t remember what had just happen.   Upon seeing Alex on the bed, unconscious again, holding her face, Chris moved toward her. Steve jumped in front of him, Hunter grabbed his arm, and Kane rose to his feet.

�What�s going on? What happen to Alex?� Chris asked. �Man, now is NOT the time to play stupid.� Hunter emphasized. �What happen in here?� Chyna asked Chris now standing next to him. �I don�t know, the only thing I remember is being in the bar downstairs. I remember going toward the elevator to come upstairs, then . . .� Chris replied, �waking up. I don�t remember anything else. Damn my head hurts!� grabbing the back of his head. �What do you mean you don�t know? Man, we SAW you hit her! What the hell�s a matter with you?� X-Pac yelled.

LaShana, who was still standing next to Jesse, announced, �You guys need to take this to another room. Chyna, can you get me some ice, her eye is starting to swell shut.� Chyna turned to go down the hall. �Wait a second, what do you mean I hit her?� Chris asked, �I would never hit Alex!�   �Out!� LaShana demanded. �Take this next door. I don�t want you yelling in here.�   �I�m not leaving until someone explains this.� Chris informed them. All the guys file out of the room to escort Chris next door, making sure Chris walks out first. Kane refuses to leave Alex�s side. Gently LaShana asks, �You�re going to have to move, I can�t help her with you in the way.�   Kane reluctantly walks around to the other side of the bed.

Chyna returns to the room with the ice, goes into the bathroom for a clean towel to wrap it in. �Hotel security is on their way, I saw them in the hall.� Chyna informed LaShana.   �What do you want me to tell them.� �Nothing. Call Vince, I think he�s upstairs, let him handle that.�

~~*~~
Vince McMahon had just received the strangest phone call. Chyna called from Alex and Chris� room asking him to come downstairs to handle hotel security�s questions about the fight that had just taken place in their room. Vince, accompanied by Dotson, got off the elevator. �Sorry, to have to wake you Jim. I just don�t know who�s involved and I still don�t know who�s hurt.� Vince offered. �No problem, Mr. McMahon.   That�s why I get paid the big bucks.� Jim replied. IceWolf had told him she felt that something was wrong, but she couldn�t figure out what.

Hotel security was being held at the doorway by Chyna, trying to tell them that someone would be there to answer their questions shortly. Chyna had put the door in the frame so they couldn�t see inside.

�Look miss, someone reported a couple fighting, and a woman screaming. These are things we�re paid to check out. Now if you don�t remove yourself from the door, we�ll have to move you.� The 1st security guard threatened.

Vince smiled, �Yeah right, guys. Good luck trying.� Trying to cover, �Gentleman, I think I can clear all this up. I�m sure it�s all a big misunderstanding. The guys were probably just rough housing.�
�These are not teenagers, sir. And that would not explain the woman�s screams that were reported.� The 2nd security guard countered.

�I�ll be out in a moment gentleman.� Vince informed them. Chyna and Dotson are standing outside the door now. Both security guards think long and hard about trying to force their way in.

Vince walks in the room to find LaShana sitting on the bed with her back to him next to Alex, who is sleeping. Kane was sitting on the other bed, staring at Alex. Alex has the ice to her face. Vince realizes its Alex who�s hurt. Looking around the room, which is still in disarray, �What the hell happened in here?� Vince growls angrily. LaShana turns to face him, walking over. �Sshh, she fell asleep. I didn�t want her to; she hit her head. I�m hoping she doesn�t have a concussion.� �What happened?� Vince demanded. �That�s what the guys are next door trying to figure out. Steve and I are in the room next door. We heard things falling to the floor. When we heard Alex scream, we went out into the hall. When Alex screamed again, Kane knocked the door in.� LaShana informed him. �Steve and I were still in the hall, but Jesse and X-Pac say that Chris hit Alex.� Vince looks at LaShana like she�d grown another head. �You mean, physically hit her?� Questioned Vince. �Yes.� Kane answered quietly. Both jump at the sound of his voice. Kane didn�t take his eyes off Alex. �I heard her scream, so I knocked the door down.� Kane explained. �Did you see Chris hit Alex?� Vince asked. �Yes.� Kane, looked up at Vince. �That�s when I threw him against the wall.� �Okay, wait. Chris hit Alex,� Vince, still having trouble with this image, �then you threw Chris against the wall?� �Yes.� Kane replied, looking back at Alex. �Where is Chris now, how badly is he hurt?� Vince asked. �Not badly enough.� LaShana mumbled, half under her breath. �I understand what you�re saying LaShana, but I�m having a little trouble with all this.� Vince informed her. �I�m going next door.�

The security guards were now turning their attention to the room next door, where a heated argument could be heard. Vince moved the door, and walked out. Dotson walked with McMahon into the next room. Steve, Christian, and Edge were on one side of the room, holding X-Pac and Jesse. Paul is on the other side with Hunter holding Chris. No one noticed Vince and Dotson walk in.

�I told you I wouldn�t hit Alex. Why the hell would I hit Alex?!� Chris yelled, who is still holding his head. �Man, you can�t get out of this one. I said we SAW you! How many times have you hit her before? This is just the first time we�ve caught you!� Jesse yelled. Chris stopped yelling, shocked at what Jesse had suggested. He looked around the room, to see that several people were asking themselves the same question that Jesse had asked out loud.

X-Pac kept trying to get away from Edge, he wanted to take out his frustrations physically rather than verbally. More yelling from both sides, until Vince spoke up. �Okay, quiet! I need to know what happened, and I need to know right now.� Jesse and X-Pac began talking at once with Chris yelling back. �Hey, wait! Okay, Jesse first. Start talking.�

Jesse and X-Pac took turns telling Vince what had happen. Paul then spoke up and said he saw Kane throw Chris against the wall, but that he hadn�t seen Alex until after. Steve said he and LaShana had heard sounds of people struggling, and then heard Alex scream. Hunter, Chyna, Edge and Christian all heard the door being kicked in.

�So did anyone actually see Chris hit Alex?� Dotson asked. �YES, for the umpteenth time.� Jesse yelled in frustration. Jesse continued, �When we ran in the door, he was standing in front of her, we weren�t fast enough to stop him.� �We were too far away, they were on the other side of the room.� X-Pac added equally frustrated.

�SO, do you have something to say?� Vince asked, turning to Chris. All eyes turned to Chris, waiting for an answer. He had been sitting on the side of the bed, holding his head in his hands, and silently listening to everyone�s input. He stood up . . .and proceeded to pass out. As he hit the floor, only Dotson moved to check on him. �Jim, get him to the hospital, he may have a concussion.� Vince suggested.

Jesse mumbled to X-Pac, �That�s not all he�ll have if I get my hands on him. He�s lucky Kane didn�t break his neck.�

~~*~~
~Why didn�t I feel her? �You can�t blame yourself for this.� LaShana implored. ~I should have known she was in danger. �You were there before anything happened.� Looking at the ice on Alex�s face. ~Not fast enough.

~~*~~
The security having grown tied of dealing with Chyna, left and went back downstairs. Unfortunately the manger had called the police. Vince sat with them in his suite for an hour trying to get him to tell them what happened. He gave no direct answers and avoided the direct questions, so the police actually had nothing to go on except what other hotel patrons had heard. Just after the police left, Vince was sitting holding his head, when the phone rang. It was Dotson calling from the hospital.
�They�re going to keep him overnight, he does have a concussion. The blow to the head probably should have knocked him out. They�re thinking because of the alcohol, he didn�t pass out sooner. They�re also checking his blood alcohol level to see exactly how drunk he was.� �Okay, stay with him. We�ll work around Chris for now. But call me the minute the doctors have those tests back!�

It was now mid-morning so Vince then called down to Alex�s room, LaShana answered. She informed him everyone had returned to their rooms, except Kane and herself. �He won�t leave her. She woke up, she�s outside in a lounge chair on the balcony.� �How badly is she hurt?� Vince asked.   �She�s got some bruises on her legs, and a nasty one on her back where she fell against the chair.� �How does her face look?� Vince questioned.   �I don�t know, she won�t let me look, as soon as the ice melted, she pulled her hair in front of her face and went in the bathroom. When she came out, she grabbed a blanket and went to sit on the balcony. Kane followed her out there.� �Okay, I�ll be down there a little later.   Unfortunately it�s been reported, and they are trying to proceed.� Vince informed her. He then told her the update on Chris.

LaShana walked out to the balcony and handed Kane a shirt she pulled from his room. �Alex, do you want me to get you anything?� LaShana asked quietly. �No, I�m fine.� �Vince said he�d be by later.� LaShana informed her. Alex nodded, then turned to face LaShana.   LaShana still couldn�t see Alex�s face with all of her hair in front of it. LaShana could barely see her mouth moving. �I want to say I dreamt this, but my head hurts too much for it to be a dream.� There was a long silence as Alex turns back to stare at the view. �Where is he?� �You don�t need . . .� LaShana started, then as Alex turned to look at her again, sighs. �He�s in the hospital. He has a concussion, they�re keeping him for observation.� Alex tried to sit up, but the bruise on her back makes her sit back down. �How did he get a concussion? I kicked him in the stomach.�   LaShana glances at Kane, who�s sitting in the chair next to Alex.

�Kane?� Alex turned to him. �I threw him against the wall.� Kane quietly answered.
Alex put her head in her hand as she began to cry quietly, Kane got a puzzled look in his eyes. LaShana walked back in the room.

�What�s wrong?� Kane asked. �I understand why, I just . . . didn�t realize anyone had come in the room. I was trying to get up . . .� Alex explained looking up. �Dammit, I hate to cry. I don�t even know why I�m crying.� Kane put his arms around Alex as she continued to cry.

Hours later, Vince walked out to the balcony. LaShana had long since left, so she could go to the arena with Steve. Alex looked up at Vince through her hair. She knew how bad she looked and wasn�t ready to share this picture with the world.

�Aren�t you supposed to be at the arena?� Vince asked, looking at Kane. Kane didn�t even look at him; he just sat with Alex. �Look, I�m still the boss . . .� Vince growled. �Vince, don�t.� Alex interrupted softly, shaking her head at him. She turned to look at Kane and she grinned. With her hair in front of her, she thought she was looking in the mirror. �I�ll be fine, I�m not going anywhere.� Alex assured him. �Sure?� Kane asked leaning toward her, as he reached for her hand. She squeezed his hand, �I promise, my head doesn�t hurt as much anymore.� She pulled his hand so she could tell him something without Vince hearing. �Thank you for staying with me.� Alex let go of his hand to touch his hair. �Go, you�re going to be late.� Kane reluctantly left to grab his bag before going to the arena.

Vince looked at her in amazement, �You know you�re one of the few people who can do that, don�t you?� �Talk to you crazy?� Alex smiled. �No. No one gets to do that, but seeing as your head is a little scrabbled we�ll let it go this time.� Vince said smiling back.

He pulled the chair next to Alex and sat silently for a moment, trying to figure out where to start.
�Do you want to tell me what happened?� he asked quietly. �I�ve talked to Jesse and X-Pac, but I need to know from you. I can�t talk to Chris right now; even if he was conscious.� Vince explained. �What do you mean? Is he alright?� Alex asked worriedly.   �Okay,� Vince asked irritably, �exactly what happened?   Cause this concern you seem to have just isn�t normal.� �Define normal?� Alex asked defiantly. �Look, from what Jesse and X-Pac told me, something that should never happened in this �family�, happened.� Vince started. �I need to know why it happened.� Alex told him what she could remember. She stopped when she reaches the point where Chris hit her. She didn�t want to say it out loud because it just didn�t sound right. No matter how it was said it just didn�t sound right.

�Okay, from here I know what happened.� Vince replied. �Do you really?� she asked sarcastically.   ��Cause, you know, I was there and I�m not even sure I do.�   �Are you going to deny what you�re hiding behind that mass of hair? Alex, the police have been called. They�re trying to proceed.� �Can they do that without my cooperation?� Alex asked defiantly, crossing her arms. �Look I don�t� know how long this has been going on, but it�s going to end NOW. If it means the police getting involved then so be it.� �NO! You don�t understand, I know what this looks like, and how I sound, but Chris didn�t mean to hurt me.� Alex stated emphatically.

�Oh really?� Vince pushed her hand aside and pulled back her hair. Alex saw him cringe. Her right eye was almost swollen completely shut, and this morning had been shades of black and blue, by now she knew it had turned to purple and yellow. �It looks like he hurt you pretty well, for someone not meaning to.� Vince declared heatedly. �Stop looking at me like I�m a battered wife, will you.� Alex growled angrily, slapping his hand away. She sat up and swung her legs around to sit facing Vince. �I know Chris didn�t mean to hurt me. You weren�t here. He has never, I repeat NEVER, laid a hand on me before. He has never hit or shoved me before.� Alex replied, getting angrier.

�You didn�t see him last night, he was way out of himself. He had a weird look in his eyes, and it wasn�t just the alcohol. Something else was wrong.� Alex said imploringly.   �I don�t know how to get you to understand.� Alex said exasperatedly. �In the past months we�ve become good friends. We�ve shared a lot of things with each other, but it�s strictly platonic.� Alex stated.

Vince�s cell phone rang; it was Dotson calling from the hospital. �Chris is awake, the doctors are checking him out now. They have the results of the blood test, you need to get down here.   They found something.� �I�m on my way.� Vince rose from his chair. �I know you wouldn�t lie to me. But can you understand how this looks, and that I have to proceed with what I see right in front of me.� �Yes, but . . . I just don�t want him tried, convicted, and hung by everyone here before we know the whole story.�
�Okay. Stay in here as much as possible, I don�t want the guys to get a look at you.� Vince stated. �I have to go to the hospital, Chris is waking up.�

~~*~~
Paul got off of the elevator and walked toward Alex�s room. He told himself he just wanted to check and see if she was okay. That he was there purely out of friendship. He couldn�t decide if he was angry with Chris or if he believed what was being said. He�d never seen Chris hit Alex before, and they�d all been traveling together for a while. However, he still couldn�t figure out what had happened last night. As Paul turned the corner to Alex�s room, he saw Kane enter without knocking. Paul�s heart fell to his feet. �Guess she doesn�t need any more company.� He turned around and walked to his room at the other end of the hall.

~~*~~
Alex sat back in the chair, she stayed out on the balcony all evening. She watched the sun set, as she watched the colors fade to night she drifted off to sleep. She jumped in her chair when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Kane picking her up. She placed her hands in her lap, and rested her head against her chest. Kane laid her on the bed. �It was getting too cold outside, it�s also 1 in the morning.� Kane explained. �Guess I lost track of time.� Alex, trying to sound light. �How was the show?� �I think someone changed the card, I was suppose to fight Paul, but after what happened last night, I think Vince thought we would kill each other.� �Huh?� Alex questioned. Kane looked at the floor, I guess Vince didn�t tell her that part, he thought. He quickly told her how he and Paul had almost came to blows, because Kane had thrown Chris and Paul had not seen Alex on the floor.   Alex looked at the floor, and sighed. �Good grief, what have I done?� she asked. �Nothing, Paul and I are fine, we talked after the show. It was kind of hard, we kept getting interrupted by people.� Another look of confusion from Alex. �Vince told us not to tell anyone about what happened, and not to talk about it either, until he could talk to all of us.� Kane informed her. �Paul asked how you were. He seemed very concerned.� Kane stated, trying not to grin.   Alex, shrugged, thankful he couldn�t see her blush through her hair. �Vince wasn�t at the show, do you know where he went?� �He got a phone call, I think from the hospital.� Alex informed him. �So do they have any news?� Kane asked not really interested. �Not that I know of, he hasn�t called. I�m getting really worried.� �Why?!� �Don�t.� Alex said shaking her head, �I�ve explained this to Vince, and now I need to explain to you.�
Alex and Kane talked for about an hour until she fell asleep again. Kane couldn�t read her well enough to know if she believed what she was saying. Not wanting to leave her, he fell asleep in Chris� bed.

~~*~~
The next afternoon, Alex got a call from Vince as she was packing to go back to her apartment, since they didn�t have a show for a couple of days. She was told to leave a note on the door instructing people to come inside, but for her to go across the hall to Kane�s room. �He knows you�re coming, I�ve called him, just wait for me.� Vince instructed.

Alex did as she was asked, and walked across the hall to Kane�s room. She knocked lightly as she opened the door. Kane had been in the shower, he was in the bathroom getting dressed, and he called out for her to have a seat. She continued in and sat down near the balcony door.

�Do you know what Vince wants?� she called out to Kane.

Kane stepped out of the bathroom, pulling on a shirt, �Not a clue, he just said to wait for him.� He sat across from her and examined her face. Alex blushed and tried to turn away. Kane took her chin in his hand and made her look at him. �Don�t - I�m just trying to see how you look today.� Kane said, with slight heat in his voice. �Actually the swelling is gone, and it�s just purple and yellow.� �The swelling better be gone. I�ve put enough ice on my face to numb what�s left of my brain.� Alex grinned. �Has anyone else seen you?� Kane asked. �No, Vince told me to stay in my room. Thanks again for staying with me.� Reaching to hold his hand. Kane shrugged and they both turned to the sound of the door opening.

Vince walked in with Chris and Dotson. Kane immediately got to his feet to stand in front of Alex. She gently put her hand on his back, and stepped out from behind him.

~~*~~
Across the hall Alex�s room was beginning to fill up. Arriving were Edge and Christian. �Hey, what�s with the meeting? I thought we had flights to catch?� Edge asked. Jesse looked at him, with X-Pac sitting on the bed, and shrugged, �All I know is I got a message to meet in here. Seems we all did.� He gestured toward the door. Entering now were Paul, Hunter and Chyna. �Guess we�re all here for a debriefing?� Hunter guessed. �Does anyone know how Chris is? There�s been no word.� Chyna asked. �Who cares? I�m more concerned about Alex, no one�s seen her since the other night.� X-Pac responded. Everyone turned to see the door open. In walked LaShana and Steve, after they came through the door, it stayed open. Then in walked Vince and Dotson then Kane. Alex and Chris walked in together last. Jesse and X-Pac stood up, not believing what they were seeing.

�What the hell is going on?� Jesse asked. �First, I need everyone to be calm and sit down. This is going to be a very civil discussion.� Vince stated emphatically. Jesse and X-Pac sat down reluctantly. Kane stood next to Alex, who had placed herself on the dresser. She was trying to hide the side of her face.   Vanity taking over, she knew even after this was explained; she wasn�t going to look any better, so the less they saw, the better.

�Also, everyone�s flight has been changed. You�re all on later flights.� Vince informed them.
�Now, as to why we�re all here. The other night . . .we had an incident, for lack of a better word. Right now, we�re going to get it all straightened out.� Vince informed, assuming his fatherly tone.

Jesse got up from the bed and walked towards the door. �There�s nothing to say. Chris hit Alex. I saw it, X-Pac saw it. What else needs to be explained?� He turned and walked out the door.
Alex told Vince, �I�ll get him to come back.�

Alex had to run down the hall to catch up with Jesse. �Will you slow down!?� Alex shouted. Jesse stopped, and whirled around to look at her. �WHY? So I can listen to you defend what he did to you? Dammit Alex, how can you take up for him? I thought I knew you better.� Jesse exclaimed. �Okay, is everyone around here taking the same stupid pills?!� Alex growled angrily, throwing her hands up in the air. It was beginning to frustrate her that her friends thought so little of her and thought so badly of Chris to jump to such a conclusion.   �Jesse, think for a minute.� tapping his head with her finger. �If Chris had been hitting me, do you honestly think that you guy�s wouldn�t know it by now?� She challenged him angrily. �You DO know me. Enough to know that when I get hit, I HIT BACK!�

�Then what possible explanation could he have!?� Jesse yelled. �You�re going to have to come back inside to find out.� Alex yelled back. Jessie stood there mumbling and cursing under his breath, then paused to look at her for a minute. He brushed her hair aside trying to look at her eye. Alex turned away from him, but Jesse had seen enough, �He better have a DAMN good explanation for this one.� He took her hand and walked back to the room. They slipped in quietly with only a look from Vince.

�Apparently these guys have been in the hotel bar before, trying to pick up women. Last night one of them was trying to pick up one girl in particular. The police have spoken to the woman. Apparently she was just being polite, until she saw Chris. She brushed the guy off to start talking to Chris. They hit it off and the guy got upset. He told the bartender to make a couple of drinks, while the bartender�s back was turned he placed the �acid� in Chris� drink. Then he told the bartender to serve them to the young woman and Chris with no hard feelings. When he realized Chris had gotten the �spiked� drink he knew it was just a matter of time. The effects of the drug vary from person to person. Considering Chris had one drink and because of his size, it didn�t take long to effect him. When it did, the most common reaction is erratic behavior then to blackout. The young woman said Chris became disoriented, then abrupt and forceful. Apparently he then made some lewd suggestions, she slapped him and walked out. That�s when Chris went upstairs.�

�How do we know all this is true?� X-Pac asked. Vince sighed and pulled out a folder. �Last night the police were called when the other guests heard Alex scream. However, they were already in the hotel. It would appear the man followed the young woman out of the bar. He followed her to her car and attacked her. She wasn�t as lucky as Alex.� Vince opened the folder he had in his lap, as he put on his glasses. �The guy beat her up pretty badly and raped her. He�s now in custody on charges of rape, and they�re looking into the situation of the drugs.�

�The young woman confirmed that until Chris� second drink, he had behaved as a perfect gentleman. She said Chris had been very nice and had offered her tickets for the show.�   �But isn�t it just her word against Alex�s? I mean, she could be lying for Chris.� LaShana interrupted.   �No,� Vince replied shaking his head, �while Chris was in the hospital, they checked his blood to determine his blood alcohol level. They found the drug. Aside from his concussion he should have no adverse effects. It will take a couple of weeks to get completely out of his system, but he should be fine.�

The room became deathly silent after Vince stopped talking. He rose from his chair and stood in front of Alex. �We�ll talk about your next assignment later, for now go home and rest.� He then looked around the room to the men and women he considered his children. He knew it was going to be hard.   There had been a lot of things said and accusations thrown about.
�Icey couldn�t come down �cause she�s not suppose to know.� Jim explained, nodding toward Vince. �But she said to call her if you need anything.� Having heard the end of the conversation, Vince groaned, �I thought I told you guys to keep this quiet.� Jim simply shrugged, and smiled at Alex as she nodded her understanding. Vince and Dotson then left.

Edge and Christian were the first to move. They walked toward Alex and smiled. They had known Alex since she first started working and knew her to be tough. �Well, seeing as Alex has a pretty good right hook, you�re lucky you don�t have a matching black-eye.� Christian informed Chris. Chris smiled slightly, as Christian put out his hand to shake. Edge followed suit. Hunter and Chyna were the next to leave. Chyna squeezed Alex hand and moved to Chris. �I knew there had to be an explanation. I know you better than some of these people. I knew you couldn�t do what they were saying.� She whispered to Chris as he hugged her. �Hands off, hands off.� Hunter said jokingly getting in-between them, then he shook Chris� hand. Paul, Steven and LaShana walked toward the door. LaShana stopped to hug Alex. �You know if you need anything?� �I know, I�ll be fine. Thank you for staying with me the other night.� LaShana walked to Chris, �I�m just glad it�s all straightened out.� Chris was saying. Steve and Paul shook hands with Chris. �Thanks for defending me man, I really appreciate it. I know it couldn�t have been easy.� Chris thanked Paul.   Paul shrugged; he smiled shyly at Alex, who was talking to Jesse and X-Pac. �I�m just glad she�s alright.�

Kane was still standing next to the dresser. He looked at Chris. Chris smiled and put his hand on the back of his head. �I�ll just consider it a war wound.�   Kane nodded solemnly. Although the situation had been explained, he would not apologize for coming to one of his brides -whether she knew it or not- aide. Kane then looked over at Alex. She felt him looking at her and looked up to smile at him. He nodded to her and walked back to his room across the hall.

Jesse and X-Pac were standing on either side of Alex. Jesse was clenching and unclenching his fist. Alex nodded her head to Chris. He came over to stand near them; he was prepared for the worse.

X-Pac shook his head, �Man, I don�t know what to say . . .� Chris held up his hand, �I�m just glad you guys were there and were able to stop me. I don�t remember anything about what happened, just waking up. But from what Vince told me, and from looking at Alex, I can�t begin to make up for this.�

X-Pac looked at Jesse and Alex squeezed his hand. �Alex is like my sister. It was a gut reaction, and. . .�   At this point Chris stopped him. �If the situation had been reversed, I know I would have reacted the same way.� All three men shook hands before Jesse and X-Pac left to gather their things to catch their respective flights.

Alex walked over to the dresser and sat on it cross-legged. Alex and Chris looked at each other. �I�m so glad this is over. I really should finish packing, but I don�t feel like it.� Chris came over to stand directly in front of her.
�Are you going to let me take you home?�   �I told you I�m fine. My head doesn�t hurt anymore, and the bruises will fade by the time we�re in San Francisco next week.� �I have to do something. Alex, what I did or more importantly what I almost did . .� he stopped, shaking his head, because he just couldn�t fathom the thought.

Alex knew Chris was terribly upset by the whole situation. She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled him toward her. He placed his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. �Chris, I knew before Vince even told us anything, that you would never hurt me. I told him that. You have NOTHING to be sorry for.� Alex paused with a gleam in her eye, �Besides even on your best day you couldn�t beat me up.� Alex said smiling wickedly. Chris stood up straight, a twisted smile on his lips, �Oh really? You think so, huh. Well, honey I have a secret weapon.� �Ha! What? The fact that you�re ugly and I�d have to have pity on you?� �Nope, I know you�re ticklish.� As he said this he was reaching toward Alex. She squealed and tried to jump off the dressers, too late. They �fought� with each other for a few minutes, until both were breathless.
Both of them smiled at each other, finally hugging and realizing they were going to miss their flights if they didn�t hurry.

Alex paused to look at the room before walking out. She couldn�t stop herself from reflecting on her past. No matter what had happened in the past couple of days she wouldn�t change anything. Sometimes your life is just so different from what you imagined. Sometimes changes are good, other times . . .it�s when your life actually begins.

~~*~~
When Kane returned to his room he found IceWolf there waiting with Jim, LaShana and Steve. ~I�ve talked to Vince, she is to be assigned to me starting next week. Also, I�ve contacted Storm she will be at the shows in California next week. �Do you think Alex can handle it?� IceWolf asked. ~With all her sister�s support she will be fine. Besides, after the past couple of days I need to be able to read her completely. I should have known she was in danger. �Alex didn�t feel she was in danger. She told you that.� LaShana reminded him. ~That�s beside the point; I won�t be unable to communicate with one of my brides ever again.

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Part IX