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Part XVI

Alex and Chris were sitting in the locker room a few hours before the show. Alex was trying to work and Chris was trying to distract her. Chris saw the look on her face seconds after Alex gasped in a breath.
�Baby, what is it?� he asked. Alex took a minute to catch her breath. �Something�s wrong.� She stated, still a bit breathless

Alex rose from the bench where they had been sitting and went quickly to the door. She pulled it open to see a huge commotion. She saw ref, officials, Jim and his security team near the back door and what looked like a crowd of fans.

�What�s going on?� Chris asked from his place behind her. Alex shook her head, �I�m not sure," she gasped, as she felt a sudden shift, �But Kane and 'Taker are extremely pi . . . .�

Before she could finished she saw 'Taker and Kane emerge from the center of the crowd. Alex�s mouth fell open when she realized 'Taker was carrying Leah and Kane had RIP pressed against him, trying to get through the crowd. In his furor to get through the crowd 'Taker managed to knock down several of the arena security who weren�t moving fast enough for him. Alex noticed Leah was unconscious in 'Taker arms, while RIP was awake but her eyes were wide with fear.

�In here!� Chris called out. He wrapped his arm around Alex�s waist pulling her out of the doorway. �What happened?� Alex finally managed. 'Taker placed Leah on the couch, brushing her hair from her face. �Some fans got passed the barricade, RIP and Leah were outside. Security showed up but not before they got caught in the crush. Leah was knocked to the ground.� He explained. �Where the hell are the paramedics?� 'Taker bellowed.

�Where are Hunter and Jeff?� Alex asked aloud. ~Hunter�s in the ring and Jeff�s is with Matt doing a promo. Kane informed her. He held RIP close to him, stroking her hair. RIP was now trembling with delayed shock and she was visibly shaken. Everyone�s attention turned back to the couch when Leah murmured in pain. Alex felt Chris� arm tighten around her and she turned to him, but before she could speak, �I�ll go find Jeff and Hunter.� He suggested; kissing her quickly then headed out the door.

Alex moved to the couch, just as the paramedics made it to the locker room. 'Taker, not seeing them enter made no move from Leah�s side. Alex began pulling on his arm, 'Taker get up!� she insisted. �They have to check on her.�

Alex managed to move him a few steps only for 'Taker to advance again; when Leah murmured again as she began to wake up as the paramedics checked on her. Alex wiggled until she was in front of him and pushed him back several steps, �Get back!� she hissed. �They�re not hurting her.� She insisted.

After checking on both ladies, the paramedics concluded that despite the bump on Leah�s head she was fine; that both her and RIP were more shaken than injured. As they finished and were heading toward the door Jeff and Hunter came barreling in, followed by Chris.

Seeing Leah on the couch, Hunter rushed to her side, �What the hell happened?� he demanded. �Hunter, she�s fine. She�s just a little shook up.� Alex informed him from her place still in front of 'Taker. She moved, blocking 'Taker�s advance toward the couch again.

Jeff was rushing across the room to RIP�s side as she sat in a chair next to Kane. Kane reluctantly released her into Jeff�s embrace and rose from his chair to move a few steps away.

~Little girl, what are you doing? 'Taker demanded. Alex turned to face him, pushing him across the room. *The paramedics said she�s fine. Leave her be. Alex insisted. ~But she needs . . .'Taker began.

*She needs Hunter. Alex reminded him, still holding him in place as 'Taker tried to move around her again. Out of the corner of her eye, Alex caught Chris moving toward her and she held up her hand to stop him.

�Dejala en paz!� Alex snapped at 'Taker. When 'Taker stopped, Alex smiled knowing she had confused him enough to get him to stop moving.

�Leave her alone.� Alex translated slowly. �Look.� She instructed. 'Taker finally looked over to see Hunter, still in his ring gear, kneeling on the floor next to the couch his head resting on Leah�s, talking to her softly as he held her hand.

'Taker then tried to turn his attention to RIP; only to find her securely in Jeff�s arms as she sat on his lap. RIP had her head on Jeff�s shoulder, assuring him she was okay, just a little shaken.

Alex tried to hide the smug smile, knowing 'Taker was frustrated at not being able to do anything. Alex reached out and took 'Taker�s hand, feeling a pang of sympathy.

*We�ll always need you. Alex assured him; picking up on his hurt feelings; a mixture of both frustration and abandonment. 'Taker angled his head as he looked down at her. �Just not right now.� She explained, grinning brightly at both 'Taker and Kane when he came to stand next to them. 'Taker released a deep sigh, running a hand along her hair. Alex grinned as she watched Kane and 'Taker leave the locker room heading for the ring.

�What was that?� Chris asked, coming to stand behind her. Alex leaned back into him, looking up over her shoulder.

�Big brother patrol.� She sighed.

~~*~~
They were all sitting in 'Taker and Kane�s dressing room. Kane and Storm were talking over in the corner. LaShana was standing near a corner talking to Leah as she sat on Hunter�s lap and RIP as she sat with Jeff. Neither of the men had let their ladies out of their sight much in the past couple of days following the incident with the crowd. They were discussing plans for the evening. Jericho sat beside Alex while she was sitting and talking to Ice. Jesse, Matt, Steve and X-Pac were there talking about the matches that night, and Jim and 'Taker walked in from 'Taker�s match with the Rock.

�Are we going out tonight?� 'Taker asked to no one in particular. Kanike had been gone for almost a week now; Alex smiled inwardly knowing he�d been sulking in his room at her absence.

�That�s what we were talking about.� LaShana responded gesturing. �There�s a nice restaurant not too far from here. Does anybody want to check it out?� Everyone agreed to meet up in the lobby of the hotel once they got back. The backstage manager poked his head in the door. �Jericho, you�re up!� he called out. Chris stood, and Alex looked up at him. �Besame.� She whispered.

�What does that mean?� Kane asked aloud. Alex flushed at being overheard as Chris pulled her up out of her chair, pulled her to him turning them in a circle before he dipped her. He looked over to Kane, �Allow me to demonstrate.� He offered, before he lowered his head to Alex and kissed her brainless. Which incited wolf-whistles and howls from the guys and �Aawww�s� from the girls. When Chris came up for air, �I�ll get you for that.� She warned him whispering, as she blushed madly. Jericho and she had been together for a while now, however she was still a little flustered by such lavish displays of Chris� affection. And she hoped it never changed. �Really? Promises, promises.� He teased wickedly; wiggling his eyebrows as he enjoyed seeing her blush deepen. Chris set her on her feet, grabbed the European belt he�d won the week before and walked out for his match with a wicked grin on his face.

~~*~~
After everyone made it back to the hotel and changed they proceeded to the restaurant to have a late dinner. The restaurant proved to be a very welcome diversion for everyone.

After the meal was over and the table cleared several couples got up to dance in the back corner of the restaurant. After a few songs Chris convinced Alex to dance and led her out to the floor. As they danced Chris held her close, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Alex loved the way he held her. She felt safe, like nothing would hurt her. Alex was really starting to enjoy herself when she felt Chris� mood shift and he tightened his arms around her, she looked up to see his eyes turn hard. �What�s wrong?� she whispered; Chris shook his head and smiled down at her. When Alex tried to turn, Chris whirled her around the dance floor blocking her view.

*What�s going on? Alex asked her sisters. She watched while they debated amongst themselves. *Hello? Anybody there? She asked. Then it dawned on her, *Paul�s here, isn�t he? Alex asked. Ice and Jim were closest to her and Chris; Alex looked directly at her and Ice nodded. Alex smiled up at Chris. �Will you relax?� she asked of Chris. Chris looked down at her, �Why are you so calm?� he asked. �Why should I be otherwise?� she asked, tilting her head. �I�m where I should be.� she started firmly. �With my friends, my family,� Alex reached up and touched his cheek, �and with you.� She whispered. Chris leaned down to kiss her lightly and then whirled her around the dance floor again making her laugh.

Soon the music changed to a faster beat and she led Chris off the dance floor. They sat down at the table, but Alex could feel that Chris simply wouldn�t relax. She looked across the room to find Paul glaring at her; she simply rolled her eyes and shook her head. She tried joking with Chris and talking to him but he only listened with half an ear. After a while the music slowed down and she and Chris went to dance again. As the song progressed Alex felt she was out there alone. �Why don�t you ask him to dance?� Alex finally asked. �What?� Chris asked looking down at her. �Why don�t you ask Paul to dance? You�re obviously not out here with me.� She observed and walked off the floor.

Instead of going back to the table, Alex walked to the ladies room. She could feel her temper rising and wanted to calm down. She paced the room for a minute, then fixed her face and reached for the door to walk back out to the table. As she open the door she saw Paul walking into the men�s room. It irritated her that her first reaction was fear. Immediately replaced by nothing, she realized, she now felt nothing for him. Unfortunately that split second of fear was enough for Kane and 'Taker to leave the table and seek her out. Paul and she stood there glaring at each other for a moment until Alex rolled her eyes and continued down the hallway to the main floor.

Before she could get to the entrance Kane and 'Taker were there. ~What happened? 'Taker asked first. *Nothing. She answered. *I just ran into Paul. She continued, deciding that they�d have figured it out anyway. Kane took Alex�s chin in his hand, tilting her face to look up at him. ~Are you sure you�re all right? He asked. * YES. She insisted, nodding her head. *Paul didn�t do anything and he didn�t say anything. She assured them. 'Taker having heard the question and the answer, laid his hand on Alex�s head. She turned to him; she shook her head and rolled her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, *Good grief. She complained. Alex elbowing 'Taker away playfully only for him to then turn to glare down the hallway. *Let�s get back to the table. Alex insisted as she saw the expression on his face. She took Kane�s arm and pulled both of them in the direction of the table. Alex saw the looks of concern from her sisters as she walked back to the table flanked on both sides by Kane and 'Taker who still wore the glares on their faces.

-You all right? Storm asked. *Other than feeling like a 5-year old at being escorted from the ladies room like I was in kindergarten, I�m fine. Alex answered. Both Kane and 'Taker tried to defend their actions, but Alex waved her hand dismissively and smiled. *Never mind. It�s not like either of you listen when any of us tell you NOT to do something anyway. Alex smiled when the other ladies laughed and Kane and 'Taker squirmed in their seats.

Alex sat down at the table next to Chris and after a minute he tried to take her hand but Alex pulled it away. Chris got frustrated and crossed his arms. -You know he�s just worried don�t you? Storm asked. Alex nodded slightly, *Yes, but Paul isn�t that stupid. He�s not going to do anything.

�Don�t be so sure. LaShana commented. Alex looked in the direction LaShana nodded to see Paul walking in their direction. Chris happened to glance at the end of the table and saw Storm put a restraining hand on Kane while LaShana and Leah put one on each of 'Taker�s. Chris then followed Alex�s eyes, and Alex felt his temper rise. Before he could react, Alex got up from her chair and sat in Chris� lap. �No.� she whispered, shaking her head; wrapping her arms around his neck. Chris smiled wickedly. �Does this mean I�m forgiven?� he asked, sliding his arms around her waist. �No.� she answered. �But this isn�t going to . . .� before she could finish Paul was near the table. He�d slowed down and was glaring at everyone at the table. �Something I can do for you?� Alex asked, her tone somewhere near frozen. She both felt and heard the low growls from Kane and 'Taker at the end of the table. Not to mention the glares from the rest of the men at the table; and her sisters trying to control their men.

Before Alex knew what was happening Chris had tangled his fingers through Alex�s hair tilting her head back to kiss her. She got loss in the bliss until her brain registered why he�d done it. Alex pulled them both back up and bit Chris� lip; the smile never leaving her face, she gritted, �Don�t do that again.� She whispered. She turned to look up at Paul when she felt his hostile rage. Although at the moment she couldn�t be completely certain the emotions she felt were all his. Paul glared at her for a moment longer; Alex raised her eyebrow at him and smiled smugly. He then continued back to the bar.

-Oh man! He is in for it! LaShana observed. �She is pissed. Ice added. �Well, that was kind of stupid. RIP observed.

�You�re mad at me?� Chris asked. Alex continued to sit on his lap, laughing and joking with her sisters but refused to answer or look at him. She even got up to dance with X-Pac. �How long are you going to be angry with him?� he asked as they reached the dance floor. �Is that why you asked me to dance?� she countered avoiding his question. �I thought Chris might like to get out of that freezer that was sitting on his lap.� X-Pac explained, making an exaggerated shiver. She couldn�t help but smile, �Do you honestly think I�m being unreasonable? To ask that he not get into a fight.� She asked.
�Speaking as a guy . . .� �Well, I hope so.� Alex interrupted. �Speaking as a guy,� X-Pac started again, �you didn�t even give him a choice. We�re dealing with the male ego. He loves you and a part of that is wanting to protect you.� �From what?� she demanded. �Paul isn�t stupid. He wouldn�t do anything to anger Kane or 'Taker, much less Chris. He just likes annoying Chris.� Alex informed him. �Chris and I are together, nothing is going to change that. I won�t let Paul interfere with that.� She explained. �Besides I don�t like being used in a game of �whose is bigger?'." She added. X-Pac leaned back and stared at her, slightly shocked at her declaration. Alex giggled at his reaction, the song ended and they went back to the table. When Alex sat down in the chair next to Chris, she took his hand but said nothing.

~~*~~
When the evening ended Chris walked Alex back to her room. �Do you want to explain what happened earlier?� he asked as they walked in. Alex sat on the bed staring at the floor, �I knew he was trying to bait you. And I knew you would react. I didn�t want that to happen.� She explained. �Is that so wrong?� she asked looking up at him. �Sweets . . .� he started, he walked over and leaned in to kiss her; but Alex turned her head. Chris backed up and Alex could feel his hurt feelings. �What was that?� he asked. �I�m not done being mad at you. You can�t kiss your way out of this.� She whispered.

�Why are you angry with me?� he snapped. �It should be the other way around.� �Is this that male ego thing X-Pac was taking about or would you kindly explain that statement?� she snapped back. �Alex, you cannot ask me not to be angry. You cannot ask me not to protect you.� Chris stated emphatically. �Be angry about what? Protect me from whom?� she asked. �Certainly not Paul. He can�t hurt me anymore. Right now he�s an annoyance because he can seem to irritate you so easily.� She snapped. �You have got to stop letting him bait you. That�s the only reason he does it.�

Alex stood and putting her hands on her full hips she continued, �And in case you hadn�t noticed. I�m not some delicate waif in need of protection. I can take care of myself.� She snapped angrily. Chris turned to her and growled slightly. He walked over and grabbed Alex around the waist. She gasped as Chris picked her up and placed her on the dresser. �It really irritates me when you say stuff like that.� He growled. Chris placed his hands on her shoulders, running his hands along her arms. �You are an incredibly beautiful woman. Emphasis on woman.� He stated emphatically. His hands moved slowly down her torso. �You feel like a woman.� He whispered. His thumbs slightly grazing her breasts as Alex felt a chill run down her spine. Chris� hands continued to Alex�s waist, �Not a waif, not plastic, not a stick.� he stated. His hands stopped when he reached her hips. He pulled her forward startling her. �Yeah,� He replied wryly kissing her lightly, �I�ve noticed.�

He stepped back, his mood changing in a blink, �Besides you don�t seem to mind Kane and 'Taker being all protective and leaping to your defense.� Alex stumbled mentally at his shift in gears. �Wait a second.� Regaining her composure, �I give them just as much hell every time they pull that macho crap.� She countered. �All I know is they can leap to your defense at any given moment and you don�t shut them out the way you just did me.� Chris observed. Alex couldn�t help the small smile. �Does this go back to that male ego thing or are you unduly jealous of my best friends?� �Unduly? Unduly she says.� He mumbled. �I�ve accepted that I�ll always come in second in your life. Paul didn�t understand that, I won�t make that mistake.� He snapped; he drew in a deep breath then continued, �But do they have to be so blatant about it?�

Alex shook her head because she was certain something had disrupted her hearing. �Wait a second. Say that again.� She requested. �Do they have to be so damn blatant . . .� �Not that part!� she interrupted. �What do you mean �second�?!� she asked. �You love Kane and 'Taker first. They will always come first, I�ve accepted that . . .� Chris stopped abruptly when Alex jumped off the dresser.

She walked over and sat on the bed. She put her head in her hands for a minute, Chris moved across the room to kneel in front of her. �What�s wrong?� he asked, thinking she was crying. She raised her head slowly and quietly asked, �Have I really made you feel that way?� When Chris only shrugged, �Dammitdammitdammit! I did it again.� She gritted to herself as she rose from the bed to pace the room. Alex stopped in front of Chris as he got to his feet; she took his face in her hands. �If I have ever made you feel like that . . .I am so sorry, it was never intentionally.� She whispered.

She dropped her hands from his face as she continued. �First, I do not EVER want to hear you make comparisons of yourself to Paul.� She gritted, poking her finger into his chest with each word. �I am going to say this one last time. Paul is the past. We all have to work together but that relationship is over. Done. Finished. Todo esta terminado. How many different ways would you like me to say that?� she asked.

Chris had no idea what she�d just said, but knew she only reverted to Spanish when she was sufficiently wound up; so he simply stayed quiet and nodded. �That relationship was screwed up. I won�t use it as a measuring stick for this one.� Alex continued.

�Second, Kane and 'Taker are . . .� she sighed raking her hands through her hair. �They fall in that weird category of more than friends. But they have the women that come first in their lives.

Good grief! You saw them the other night with Leah and RIP. It�s like breathing with them. Kane and 'Taker are protective of all us girls, not just me. Are we completely clear on that point?� She asked, �I don�t want you to ever mistake their presence in my life for something it�s not.� She waited for Chris to nod before she continued. �I won�t say I can understand what it feels like when you have to see that, but it�s a part of me. The girls, Kane and �Taker are part of me, just as being a bride is. I can�t . . .and won�t apologize for it.� She explained softly.

�But you are the only man in my life.� She emphasized, taking his face in her hands again. �You have never been second anything to me. You never could.�

She stepped back to lean against the dresser; �Their protective streak is something I�ve learned to live with. I know it�s irritating; hell it�s irritating to me too.� Alex exclaimed. �But as I will tell them �once again- in the morning there is no reason for it.� She informed him. �Paul isn�t going to do anything. I don�t like the fact that he can have so much influence on my life and my friends. I can�t express to you what it means . . .or feels like to know that you want to protect me.� She revealed softly. �But there is nothing to protect me from.� She emphasized.

Chris stood in front of her, silent for a moment then, �I know that . . .here.� Chris taps his temple. �But here . . .� he touched his heart, �and here.� poking his stomach. �react first. I�ll always want to protect you first and ask questions later.� He added. �I know 'Taker and Kane are a bit over protective.� He smiled, laughing lightly when she rolled her eyes as the word �bit�. �In a way it�s good to know that you have them, or had them when you needed them.� He mentioned, remembering all she had been through. �But I consider that my job now.� He replied emphatically. �It doesn�t make it any easier to see them react first. But I would never ask you to apologize or change anything about yourself.� Chris assured her.

�I know that kiss was wrong.� He stated, �but I knew it would piss him off.� Alex grinned, �Well there was nothing wrong with the actual kiss.� Alex started, mischievously. �Just the reasoning.� she smiled, then sighed slightly. �And to be completely honest, that look on his face . . .was priceless. It was one of those guilty pleasures to know he got mad.� She stated. Alex took his hand again, �But we can�t live our lives like that. We have to be together for the right reasons.� �We�re together because we care about each other. It took us a while to get around to it, but we�re going to make this work.� Chris assured her. �Bonus points are pissing Paul off.� Chris stated, smiling when Alex laughed.

Chris pulled on her hand pulling her to him. �But I think you�re wrong. That kiss was wrong. Very, very wrong.� He stated mischievously, a slow smile sliding across his face. Chris slid one hand along her hip, the other up her spine and leaned down to kiss her. Alex�s head started to spin from lack of oxygen. She leaned into Chris when she felt his tongue slide across her lips. She sighed when he pulled her tongue into his mouth; making her moan when he sucked on it gently. She gripped his shoulders, and then wrapped her arms around his neck when her knees started to go weak.

When Chris broke the kiss, �It should have been like that.� He whispered. Alex laid her forehead on his chest. �Guess we�ll just have to practice that one.� She answered breathlessly. Chris leaned back, �Arguing with you is . . .fun.� he acknowledged. Alex laughed looking up at him; �Well it�s never been called that before.� �Arguing isn�t a bad thing. Besides" he grinned, �I like the �kiss and make up� part.� He informed her, wiggling his eyebrows. Alex smiled slyly, �If that kiss is how you �make up� - we definitely have to argue more often.� She suggested. �Sweets, you ain�t seen nothing yet.� He murmured as he lowered his lips to hers.