| Part II |
| Alex sighed and glared at 'Taker viciously, �Blabbermouth!� ~Don�t be angry with him! YOU should have told me as well! Kane countered, turning to glare at her. ~Exactly how many letters have there been? A look went over Kane�s face, ~Total . . .to all of you. Kane asked knowingly, looking directly at Alex. Alex cursed the fact that he�d read her mind, �I�m never going to get used to that.� She thought to herself. She started to squirm and fidget where she stood at the intense angrer coming Kane. �LaShana, Ice, Kanike and I all got sporadic ones.� Alex explained quietly. She cringed upon hearing 'Taker growl at the mention of his love�s name. Then looking at Storm, apologizing, she continued. �But Storm�s were consistent from three weeks after Kane won the title.� �Someone explain to me - in detail - what the hell�s been going on!� 'Taker demanded angrily. �You did NOT tell me about Kanike, you or the other girls had been threatened as well.� he continued pointing at Alex. �Nuts!� she thought to herself, �speaking of blabbermouth.� �Kanike was supposed to tell you.� Alex answered weakly. By the look on both Kane and 'Taker�s faces Alex knew that wasn�t going to cut it. Alex and Storm sat next to each other on the edge of the bed; looking like children caught doing something really bad. Alex took a deep breath before she started, �About three weeks after you won the title, they started coming. The first one was addressed to me directly. I wasn�t sure what to think at first. I received three in a week; only the one was addressed at me. I opened the rest, assuming they�d be the same things. I went to Vince with them. He had his lawyer make sure that the asylum monitored Tori�s mail, and that she was closely guarded. That�s when I told Storm. I knew how you would react!� she exclaimed to Kane. �Or more precisely how all you � Jim, Steve, and YOU� pointing to 'Taker, �would react.� Alex explained defensively. �I thought Storm had told you.� she explained to Kane. �I never mentioned it, because I don�t like talking about it. It�s creepy. When you didn�t mention it I assumed you didn�t want to talk about it.� Both she and Storm heard Kane growl. Alex continued quickly, trying to get the rest of the story out before he really got mad. �Vince made sure Tori was put in a secure facility. But apparently Tori was getting her mail out through the other patients.� Alex explained. �The past two weeks the letters have gotten more consistent and more . . .� Alex�s voice trailing off. �More what, little girl?� 'Taker asked, seeing the look on her face. �More violent. They were more graphic and detailed. She�s talking about how she�s going to kill us.� She whispered quietly. �I�ve talked to Vince. A hearing was set for the attack on Storm. Vince is using all his influence to make sure she doesn�t get leniency. In light of the letters it isn�t really necessary. The courts happen to agree - and she will receive the maximum sentence. The appearance tomorrow is just a formality. Tori is not even going to be there. We�re all just supposed to show up . . .� Alex stopped when she heard both of them growl again. Alex squirmed, *You can jump in here any time, you know. she requested of Storm. Before Storm could answer the door flew open again and in walked LaShana and Ice trailed by a very angry Steve and Jim. *Oh good! Reinforcements. Alex exclaimed to Storm. �You think we�re going to go through this alone? Storm asked incredulously. LaShana and Ice sat on each side of the girls on the bed. *I feel like I�m in the principal office. Alex mentioned. �Do you think we�re going to get out of this with just detention? Ice asked, making them all giggle slightly. That did NOT go over well with the men. They all stood there glaring viciously. �You think this is funny!� Jim growled. The door opened again with Leah and RIP followed by Hunter and Jeff. �Thank goddess you�re here! LaShana exclaimed. The two newest ladies to enter the room took seats on each side of the women. �We�re in this together. RIP assured them. *So we all get to die together, how comforting. Alex noted. Trying desperately not to laugh, they all nodded to each other. All turning to face what was now a group of very angry men. *Okay, who wants to be the spokesperson? Alex asked. They all turned looking at her. *Ah man! She whined, *Why me? She asked. �Cause it�s not your boyfriend you�ll be dealing . . . Leah started, -Oh . . .Leah stopped realizing what she�d said. �You�re the one with all the first-hand information. RIP interceded. Alex simply nodded, *It�s okay. She replied smiling at Leah. �Where is Kanike?� 'Taker demanded. �She�s on her way, she�ll be in late this afternoon. It was supposed to be a surprise.� Alex informed him, getting to her feet. �Look I realize you are all angry . . .� �How serious are these threats?� Hunter snarled, interrupting her. �The last time any of us saw Tori, she was just some whack psycho.� He added. �Apparently the psycho is quite clever.� Alex replied calmly. �She�s been able to keep sending the letter�s despite attempts of having her monitored.� Alex explained. �As for how serious, the psychiatrist treating her says her hostility is normal.� Seeing the look that went around the room, as she rolled her eyes and added, �She�s apparently never been stable, so use of the word �normal� is relative.� �The night we ended the angle with her and Kane - the woman simply snapped. She blames us - Ice, Kanike, LaShana, myself and especially Storm. For �ending� or messing up her career. She also has some serious delusions about Kane. She believes Storm has interfered with Kane�s love for her. Leah and RIP are in danger simply because they are brides�. That�s one of the reason�s it was so easy for Paul to enlist Tori�s help that night.� Alex added. �If that big dumb son of a b-� Steve started. �I don�t know what Paul knew about that. Or if Paul knew she was dangerous.� she interrupted him. �But then again I�m not the best person to ask about that. I obviously wasn�t very good at reading him.� Alex stated coldly. �What time is the court appearance?� Jeff asked. �9:00 am. The only concession Vince could garner was that it happens tomorrow. Courts normally don�t work on a Sunday�s but it�s the only time this judge had available. Also considering the circumstances they wanted this taken care of as soon as possible. This is also the first time all of us are in one place together. The judge just wants us there to put faces with names. He�s seen all the letters and is quite familiar with the case. He�s going to make sure Tori is closely monitored. Tori is obviously quite disturbed and hostile.� Alex informed them. The ladies sat there waiting for one of the men to respond. Kane finally breaking the silence. �Until we leave for the courthouse, NONE of you will be without someone.� Kane insisted. �I won�t take a chances. We stay as a group. And,� Kane added smiling, �as much of a hardship as it may be, I need you to all stay in tonight with your loved ones.� The ladies looked to their boyfriends and smiled. �I think we can manage that.� LaShana looked at Steve. �Oh, we�ll think of something.� Ice assured Kane, smiling slyly over at Jim. Alex watched as Hunter pulled Leah up from the bed and held her to him, Jeff knelt in front of RIP and took her face in his hands. Storm was standing before Kane trying to explain why she hadn�t told him. Alex knew Storm was forgiven before even uttering a word when Kane pulled Storm to him and she was lost in his massive chest. Alex smiled at her sisters before she headed for the door. 'Taker followed her into the hallway. �Where are you going?� he asked. �Kanike will be here a little later, I have to get another room and make some arrangements for all of us to get to the courthouse tomorrow.� �You�re not going to stay by yourself tonight.� 'Taker insisted. �I�m sure as hell not staying with you two.� She assured him laughing. �Little girl . . .� 'Taker started. They stood there in the hallway arguing over the situation. Alex tuned 'Taker out as she rubbed her temple at the beginning of another headache. She glanced up to see Jesse walk off the elevator and wander toward them. When Jesse was close enough �Picking on little girls, deadman?� he asked. �Stay out of this Jesse.� 'Taker warned growling then looked back at Alex. �You are NOT, repeat NOT, going to be by yourself!� �What�s he yelling about?� Jesse asked Alex. She sighed and briefly told Jesse the situation only to have him scowling at her as well. �Don�t look at me like that!� Alex exclaimed defensively. �I�ve been stared at, yelled at and growled at,� she informed Jesse while looking viciously at 'Taker, �enough for one day.� �He�s right you know. You can�t stay by yourself.� Jesse intervened. �NOTHING is going to happen. Tori is locked up! She�s nowhere near here! After the court appearance everything will go back to normal.� Alex insisted. Turning back to 'Taker. �I am NOT, repeat NOT,� mimicking him, �staying with you and Kanike.� She insisted again. �She�s staying with me.� Jesse informed 'Taker. �Jesse, it�s really not necessary . . .� Alex turned to Jesse shaking her head. �FINE.� 'Taker growled, �But don�t let her out of your sight.� 'Taker warned. �Between me and X-Pac she�s not going anywhere without someone.� �Ex-cuse me, but do I get a say in this?� �NO!� they both answered. ~~*~~ Alex was in 'Taker�s room packing her bag mumbling to herself. �Alejandra Isaac Lopez!� Alex cringed and scowled at the use of her full name. �Stop whining!� 'Taker demanded from where he sat on the side of the bed. �You cannot stay by yourself and Jesse offered.� �This is just stupid. I don�t like being pawned off on my friends. And for NO GOOD reason!� she exclaimed turning to face him. �This is a court appearance. Nothing more.� she complained. �Little girl . . .you know how much you girls mean to Kane and I.� 'Taker began, reaching for her hands pulling her to stand in front of him. �The idea of all of you being threatened by Tori and you not telling us is NOT acceptable! Indulge us for the next day, until we can be certain she is not a threat to anyone.� Taker reasoned. Alex groaned as she stepped back and flopped down on the bed. �And he wonders why we didn�t tell him.� She mumbled under her breath. �Fine!!� she moaned, throwing her hands in the air. �What-ever. It�s not like I�m going to win this argument anyway.� She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, �Wait. Where are you going?� he asked. �Where I�ve been banished to � where do you think?� she asked. �Is Jesse coming . . ?� Alex dropped her bags and put her hands over her head and screamed. �Enough already!!� she yelled. �I can make it up 2 floors all by my widdle self.� She gritted angrily. �I can hear you two yelling all the way down the hall.� They both turned to Kanike who was standing in the doorway. �Don�t tell me. He knows.� She guessed. �Oh goody! Someone new for him to growl at.� Alex exclaimed, gleefully. She grabbed her bags from the floor; �I�m outta here.� she declared. Alex paused for a moment, then grabbed the rose 'Taker had given her the night before, silently letting him know all was forgiven. �He�s all yours.� Alex grinned sweetly to Kanike as she walked past her and out the door. Alex went to the elevator and waited impatiently.. When the door opened Alex felt her stomach flutter to see Chris. �Hey you, running away from home?� He asked, gesturing toward her bags. Alex got on the elevator as she laughed. �Something like that.� She answered. In no time they had moved up the two floors; Alex stood there trying not to fidget, then tried to figure out why Chris had that kind of effect on her. The elevator opened again and Jericho picked up one of Alex�s bags. They both looked up to see Jesse heading toward them. �Does he ever switch off watchdog mode?� he asked as he approached. Alex laughed. �Don�t tell me. He called you.� She guessed. �Who?� Chris asked. �'Taker.� she answered, sighing. �And to answer your question.� turning back to Jesse. �No, I don�t think he knows how.� She laughed. Alex, Jesse and Chris walked down the hall talking about the next night�s event. When they got to Jesse�s door, �I�ll take that man.� Jesse suggested. He reached for Alex�s bag and he also reached into his pocket for his card key. Chris looked confused and wouldn�t let go of the bag. �It�s okay, she�s staying with me tonight.� Jesse informed him. Chris tried to cover his surprise but Alex could feel his shock. �It�s kind of a long story . . .� Alex started. �You don�t have to explain to him baby girl.� Jesse exclaimed. �You see she�s madly in love with me and I finally decided to giver her a chance.� Jesse explained grinning and putting his arm around Alex. �Jesse!!� Alex yelled, swatting his arm. As Jesse dropped her bag, he grabbed her wrist as he continued. �See?! She�s crazy about me. Can�t keep her hands off me.� As Alex and Jesse fought in the hallway, X-Pac opened the door and walked out. He glanced at Jesse and Alex, then to Chris. �You�d think they were in love or something.� �Yeah. Or something.� Chris mumbled. X-Pac turned back to Jesse and Alex who were still fighting. Jesse was behind Alex and had her arms wrapped around her and was holding her tightly as she squirmed. �Jesse! Let go of me!� she demanded, trying to sound angry. Jesse loosened the hold on her arms and as he did Alex elbowed him in the stomach. �Ooof!� Jesse wheezed. �Now see, I was just starting to like you.� Jesse gasped. Chris watched all this silently but with rapt attention. Alex grabbed one of her bags from the floor and shoved it at Jesse hitting him in the stomach again. �Here! Be useful for a change.� She demanded laughingly. Jesse took her bag and walked in the room with X-Pac, who was carrying the other past Jericho. �She�s crazy about me.� he whispered to Chris. �Arrrgggggg!� Alex yelled. �He�s insane!� she said casually to Chris when both X-Pac and Jesse were inside. She reached down to pick up the rose that had fallen during her �fight� with Jesse. �You are staying with them tonight?� Chris asked, not bothering to hide his surprise anymore. �Yeah. It�s kind of complicated.� she said, twirling the flower between her fingers. �Want to talk about it?� he offered. �Not really.� Alex answered shaking her head. �It�s been discussed to death.� She opened the door, �We�ll just say I have little choice in the matter.� she began. And then shouted over her shoulder, �And despite those pesky rumors that you may have heard, I�m not after Jesse�s body!� she yelled, smiling. �LIAR!!� came the reply from inside. Alex chuckled as she turned back to Chris. �Umm, do you need a ride over to the arena tomorrow?� he offered. �Oh . . .I have an appointment I can�t break.� she replied. �I�m going from there to the arena.� �Oh, well how about after the show?� he tried again. �Do you want to get supper after?� Alex smiled and she bit her bottom lip, �Okay,� she answered softly, �That would be good.� She replied, smiling. ~~*~~ She felt hands strangling her and she was gasping for air. �YOU BITCH!! YOU�RE GOING TO PAY!! ALL OF YOU WILL PAY!! WHEN YOU�RE DEAD. I�LL KILL THE REST OF THEM� Alex started to loose consciousness and her breath was ragged. She grabbed the hands around her throat and managed to break the hold on her throat. �NO!� she screamed, �NO!!!� �Alex! Alex, wake up!� Jesse yelled, shaking her. �Baby girl, you were dreaming.� Jesse informed her. After not much arguing the guys decided they would share one bed and give Alex the other. Neither one wanted to sleep on the floor. In her hysteria Alex had bolted upright in the middle of the bed. Now X-Pac was sitting on the edge of the bed and Jesse was kneeling in front of her holding her. Alex looked at him, trying to focus. She grasped his shoulders and Jesse held her tighter because he could feel her shaking. Alex�s breathing returned to normal and she dropped her head on Jesse�s bare chest. �Baby girl, what is it? Why were you screaming?� Jesse asked as he stroked her hair. �I . . .� she stammered, her throat raw, �I was screaming?� she asked looking up at him. �You were talking in your sleep first.� X-Pac explained. ~Little girl!? Are you all right? Kane asked. *Hold on. She requested. �Jesse, can you get me some water?� she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking. Jesse moved off the bed and went over to the dresser. Alex put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. X-Pac put his hand on her arm because he thought she was crying. *I�m fine. She answered Kane. *I had a bad dream. ~Are you sure you�re all right? Jesse and X-Pac are there right? He asked. *Yes, they�re here. I�m fine. Go back to sleep. She insisted. Jesse brought her with a glass. Alex lifted her head and reached for the glass. Both men glanced at each other as they both noticed her hand was trembling. Jesse sat down next to her, putting his arm around her and held the glass as she drank. �Do you want to talk about it?� X-Pac asked. �What was I saying in my sleep?� she asked. �Mostly just mumbling, then you screamed �NO�.� Jesse answered. Alex�s hand went around her throat twisting her necklace; she shook her head, �No,� she answered quietly. �I don�t want to talk about it.� She glanced at the clock and winced at the time. She set the glass on the table, and nudged Jesse playfully; �Go back to sleep. I�m fine.� �Baby girl, you�re shaking like a leaf.� Jesse informed her. Alex clasped her hands together casually and placed them under the sheet. �Jesse, I�m fine. It was just a dream.� She assured him. Jesse pulled her hands out, �One that obviously scared the sh#t out of you.� He stated holding her hands out for her to see that she was still trembling. Alex jerked her hands away and opened her mouth to protest when Jesse pushed her gently down on the bed, and pulled the sheet up. �Go to sleep.� He insisted and lay down next to her. Jerking a thumb at X-Pac, �He moves around too much anyway. I promise to be a good boy.� Jesse stated grinning. �But only if you want me to.� he added mischievously wiggling his eyebrows, leaning toward her, he pursed his lips and made exaggerated kissing noises. X-Pac smacked him in the back of the head. �Man, you�re pretty deranged to hit on the girl while she�s all terrified.� Alex laughed shakily and pie-faced Jesse back to the other side of the bed, �Now is not the time for your twisted delusions.� X-Pac went back to the other bed and within a few minutes Alex could hear his breathing indicate that he had fallen back to sleep. �Jesse?� Alex whispered. �Yeah, baby girl?� Jesse mumbled sleepily. �Thank you.� she whispered and reached out to squeeze his hand. She heard Jesse chuckle and he reached out to pinch her nose. �Go to sleep.� he ordered gently. Alex fell back to sleep with her hand in Jesse�s and to the sound of his breathing. |