| Part XXVIII |
The following Monday Alex was walking off the plane. As hard as the past couple of days had been, part of her mind had always been on Chris. She had missed him terribly, like part of her was missing. She was anxious to see him. As she scanned the gangway for him, she couldn�t help but giggle. She saw him off to the side trying to be inconspicuous. Which was a little hard to do with the tight black T-shirt and even tighter blue jeans he was wearing. Alex felt her heart race just to see him; when she caught his eye her heart skipped a beat to see his smile. When she got through the line of people he grabbed her up in his arms and kissed her breathless. When they finally broke, �Hey you.� He whispered. �Hey. �She whispered back. They walked through the airport, getting stopped a few times for Chris to sign autographs. �Did everything go okay?� he asked as they walked toward the car. �I guess.� she said quietly. �As well as can be expected.� In a nervous habit she�d never been able to break, she began to finger her necklace. During the weekend, she�d gotten untold comfort from her pendant; she felt like he was right there with her. �Did you miss me?� Chris asked when they were in the car. �Nope.� She informed him matter-of-factly. �Got lots of compliments on my pendant.� she informed him smiling. �Did you tell them about me?� he asked with uncharacteristic shyness. They�d not spoken too much about their families. Alex knew he had a brother, but Chris didn�t talk about him much. Chris had spoken to Lydia once when he�d answered her cell phone. Alex grinned wickedly, �No. I told them about the other cute guy I�ve been seeing.� Chris glanced at her out of the corner of his eye while navigating traffic. �Oh really?� he asked. Alex just continued to grin. �Hmmm . . .he�s really cute. Nice too.� She continued, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice. �And he�s really smart. Did I mention he was cute?� Chris smiled as they pulled into the parking lot of the arena. They both got out of the car, Chris walked around to open the trunk and pulled out his bag, Alex reached for his hand and pulled him toward her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, standing on her toes to kiss him. �He�s very special.� Alex whispered, looking into his eyes. Chris smiled and held her tightly. �He sounds like one a million. Better hold on to him.� Chris instructed her. �Plan to.� She whispered back. �Did I mention he was pretty cute?� she asked innocently. Chris turned serious; �I think you just want me for my body.� He announced, sounding wounded. Alex twisted her lips as if thinking. Chris popped her on her butt half-heartedly as Alex laughed out loud. Alex glanced toward the entrance to see several fans that had been stopped by security. They began yelling for Chris to come over. �Go see your fans.� She instructed. �I can wave from here.� He answered. Alex shook her head. She saw Edge, Christian, Matt, Jeff, and RIP pull up. �Take them with you.� She added. �They got here early.� Pointing to the kids that were still screaming. �Give them something to talk about.� She looked up to see her sisters� coming out of the arena. Alex smiled to see Kanike had rejoined them. She waved to them and pushed Chris in the direction of the fans. She walked over to RIP and they walked over to her sisters�. �Hey! You�re back!� Leah exclaimed. As Alex hugged her sisters the ladies stood and talked while the guys went over to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. �So did I miss anything?� Alex asked. But her eyes wandered toward the entrance to see several young girls had joined the crowd. They stood around making idle chatter for a few minutes then, �Let�s go inside.� Alex suggested. Storm eyed her as they walked inside. �Stop staring at me.� Alex joked. �You still having a problem with that part?� Storm asked. Alex shrugged, and then stopped Storm to talk to her alone. �That was actually kind of a test.� She laughed lightly. �I failed. I think I�m okay as long as I don�t have to watch.� Alex conceded. �Besides he�s such a flirt, he enjoys his fans.� �The flirting doesn�t bother you?� Storm asked, watching her face for a better reaction. �Oddly enough no.� Alex answered, shaking her head laughing lightly. �I know he�s not serious. I know he just turns on his �in-ring� self.� She smiled. �I�ve never seen him come remotely close to crossing that line. I also know how he feels about me. I just don�t want to watch while he�s in that mode.� She smiled. Before Storm could question her further Chris and the guys came in. �Where�d you go?� Chris asked. �You were busy with you fans; I came in to see the girls.� She informed him. �You told me to go over there.� Chris pointed out. �I know.� She acknowledged smiling. �But I came in with the girls.� Before Chris could continue Kane and 'Taker approached them. �Welcome home, little girl.� 'Taker stated as he walked up. �HI.� She replied to both. �I�ll catch up with you a little later.� She informed them. She could feel Chris wanted to continue their conversation. �You need to get ready for you match.� Alex took Chris� hand as they walked to find his dressing room. Alex sat at the table working on Kane and 'Taker�s schedule while Chris changed into this ring attire, when he was done he came out to sit next to Alex. �Something you want to know.� She asked, softly. �Does the fan thing bother you?� he asked. �Yes and no.� She answered. �This won�t make much sense, but I�ll try.� she began smiling. �I know its part of the package. I know the fans are part of what makes this exciting for you. I like the way your face lights up when you're around your fans.� She informed him. �Or the way you look in the ring. The girls love it when you flirt with them.� �I don�t flirt . . .� �Be quiet, yes you do.� She smiled. �I just don�t want to watch while you do it.� She explained. �You know this belongs to you.� Chris asked, tapping his chest near his heart. She nodded, �Yes.� she answered leaning in to kiss him. �But it�s nice to hear.� She mumbled against his lips. �Jericho! You�re up!� the backstage manger yelled. Chris dropped his head as Alex giggled. �I've got to talk to him. His timing sucks!� Chris gritted. �Come on. I�ll walk with you to the curtain.� She offered. They walked down the hall, and when they got to Kane and 'Taker�s dressing room, Alex kissed him again and then went in to sit with her sisters. Alex sat down the near the monitor, �Who�s he up against?� she asked. �Kirk Angel.� LaShana answered smiling. Alex rolled her eyes and only watched the match half-heartily; she knew Chris was going to win. Spending most of the match catching up with her sisters. Toward the end of the match Alex turned her attention to the monitor cause she enjoyed watching Chris execute his finishing moves. Alex grinned and clapped as Chris got the three count. Jesse, who was in the corner talking with Hunter about their match later, �She doesn�t do that during my matches.� Jesse pouted. �Why don�t you do that during my matches?� Hunter whined at Leah. �You�re in the ring.� She reminded him. �I could be back here doing cartwheels and you wouldn�t know it.� Alex and her sisters laughed, and then Alex turned to Jesse and stuck her tongue out at him good-naturedly as he groaned then laughed. �She�s not biased or anything.� He commented. As Chris slid out of the ring he got too close to the barricade, an errant female fan reached over grabbing Chris� shoulders and kissed him full on the lips. Chris tried to pull back, but it took Jim bodily picking up the young woman for her to let go of Chris. �You okay little girl?� 'Taker asked, seeing the look on her face. Alex forced herself to breathe and smile weakly as she turned to him. Alex could only blink and nod her head in response. ~No you�re not. Kane countered. *No . . .she sighed, smiling weakly at him. *But it�s not anything you can help me with. She informed him. Stopping a moment to hug Kane tightly; Alex knew how much it bothered him when there was something he couldn�t �fix� for one them. Alex slowly walked down the hall to go back to Chris� dressing room. Her mind was going a mile a minute trying to reason with both sides. She knew the kiss meant nothing; hell if she was a fan and had gotten close enough she might have done the same thing. But the jealous shrew in her was hot. Alex thought she was in control of her temper until she saw Chris. He had gotten to the door just as Alex reached it. He grinned sheepishly, but all Alex saw was the smear of red lipstick across his lips; her anger snapped. They walked into his dressing room silently. �Well that never happened before.� Was all Chris said and Alex only nodded. She walked over and when Chris leaned over to kiss her, she pulled back raising her hand Alex tried to wipe the lipstick off his face. Chris glanced in the mirror, picked up a towel and wiped off the rest of the lipstick from his face. �Go take a shower. You�re all sweaty.� She smiled weakly, turning she walked over to her laptop and made a pretense of working. Chris walked up behind her and took her hands, and turning her around. Something in that simple gesture pushed Alex over the edge. �I�m fine.� She snapped, pulling her hands away she turned back around refusing to look at him. �Yeah. I can tell.� He replied knowingly, turning her around again. �Do you remember earlier?� he asked. �What earlier?� she snapped impatiently, trying to turn around again. Chris held her firmly against him and took her chin in his hand to make her look up at him, �When I said this,� tapping his chest, �was yours?� he continued patiently and Alex nodded. Chris took her hand and placed her fingers on his lips. �These belong to you too.� He whispered against her fingers. Alex smiled weakly and ran her thumb along his lips, feeling the tears well up in her eyes. �Don�t.� Chris whispered, as he held her closer to him. Alex rested her forehead on his chin, �This is stupid.� She whined, �I hate when I get like this.� �No, it�s not.� Chris assured her. �I think it�s kind of cute.� He teased. Alex lifted her head and rolled her eyes; �You�re enjoying this way too much.� She commented, trying to move away. Chris held on to her firmly, looking at her intently. She sighed and laid her head on his chest, �Thank you.� She whispered, �I needed to hear that.� She looked up at him. �It was a knee-jerk reaction.� She explained sighing, �Me being the �jerk�. I know the fans get out of control.� She smiled smugly, �Besides who could blame her.� �True.� Chris agreed, putting his hand to his chin, looking thoughtful. �Poor thing just couldn�t help herself. I wonder if she�s okay. She�s ruined now for other men. Maybe I should check on her.� Chris wondered, moving toward the door while he failed miserably at trying to look innocent, it could never reach his eyes. Alex pulled his hand, �I don�t think so.� She countered, pulling him back toward her. ~~*~~ When the show was over everyone made their way to the parking lot. Chris and Alex leaned against the car waiting for everyone to meet up. Chris held her close to him, leaning in close he whispered in her ear, �Do you have plans tonight, pretty lady?� he asked wickedly. Alex hesitated and smiled, as she knew what his reaction would be. �Ummm . . .actually.� she stammered. �You have plans?� he asked disbelieving. �Well the girls are going to get together and just hang out.� She informed him. �But you just got back!� Chris protested. �I haven�t seen them in almost a week.� She tried. �Well I haven�t see you either!� he continued to protest. �Baby . . .you look real cute when you pout. I like how your bottom lip sticks out.� She teased and Chris shot her a dirty look. �Why don�t you hang out with the rest of the disgruntled boyfriends?� She offered, �They don�t look too happy either.� Alex didn�t have to look around the parking lot to know that most of the guys weren�t too happy about the girls� plans either. When she did turn around Alex could see her sisters placating their men like they were a group of whiny children. Turning back to Chris, trailing butterfly kisses along his chin, �I promise. Tomorrow night, just you and me.� she offered. Seeing the pout still on his face, �Baby stop it.� She pleaded softly, smiling. �You look ridiculous.� Chris continued to pout, �You promise . . .about tomorrow.� He asked weakly. Alex smiled, �Yes, after the show, just you and me.� Chris looked thoughtful for a moment, �Answer something . . .did you plan this before or after my match?� he asked. Alex shook her head; �It�s got nothing to do with that.� She protested. �No, I don�t like that some ditzy headed fan put her lips on you. But it�s not anyone�s fault and it�s not something that can be changed.� she stated. �Besides.� she smiled as she continued; �You reassured me as much as possible earlier.� She remembered. �Why don�t we go back to your hotel room alone and I can reassure you some more?� he whispered in her ear. �Cut it out!� she whispered. �You ready to go?� Storm asked. Alex and Jericho jumped apart like a couple of guilty teenagers. �Honey, I think Y2J seems a little reluctant. Why don�t you escort him to the hotel or we�ll never get out of here. � Storm suggested to Kane. �It wasn�t me. Alex didn�t want me to leave. She�s changed her mind.� Chris began, pulling Alex back to his side. �She�s decided I�M much better company.� �Christopher!� Alex protested. �I did not!� Chris silenced her with a kiss. �See . . .she likes me better.� Chris relayed smugly. Kane laughed as he took Chris by the back of the neck, disengaging him from Alex. �Come on, Romeo. One evening apart isn�t going to kill you.� Chris flayed his arms like Kane was actually hurting him as he pulled him away. After they got a few feet Alex ran over and grabbed Chris as Kane pulled him toward the car. She kissed him lightly, �I�ll see you later.� Alex yelped as Storm grabbed her hand and pulled her in the opposite direction. �One night isn�t going to kill you either.� Storm giggled. ~~*~~ �Stop looking like someone stole your puppy!� LaShana laughed. Alex giggled from where she sat on the bed, halfheartedly throwing a pillow at her. �I�m fine.� She pouted. �Something�s bothering you.� RIP observed. �Was it the trip?� Storm asked. Alex shook her head, �No. Not really. I mean . . .I watched while something very dear to me was destroyed, I felt very helpless.� She stated quietly, unconsciously playing with her necklace. �But I know my grandmother would not want me to dwell in the past. I know she�d want me to be happy - now in the present.� Alex explained. �Is it what happened tonight?� Leah asked. �Sort of. I mean what happened doesn�t have me leaping for joy.� She replied, rolling her eyes. �But we talked about it and he reassured me . . .quite emphatically� she grinned wickedly, remembering, �of how he feels about me.� �Then what?� Ice asked. �I know Chris thinks we set up tonight - this,� she gestured around the room, �as a way for me to get away from him. Like I�m still upset. Which I�m really not; but he feels bad about what happened.� She sighed. �He was stumbling all over himself thinking of things to say to reassure me.� She continued to explain. From the other side of the room, Kanike sighed, �What do you see in him? He is such a goof.� She asked. Alex smiled; she knew Kanike just had an aversion to all things blond. �He makes me smile.� Alex answered simply. �Yes, he�s goofy sometimes, but it�s like a switch he turns off and on. His ring persona is kind of him . . .just at full tilt.� She explained. �These past few months have been really good. He�s been really patient. And he�s always been there. It�s a little hard to explain.� She stumbled. �You�re doing fine.� Storm encouraged. Alex smiled, �We like the same movies, the same music groups, the same food. He�s so freakin� perfect it�s scary. It�s almost . . .sometimes it�s like he knows what I�m thinking.� �You sound happy.� Ice observed. �You sound like you�re in love.� RIP continued. Alex smiled and rolled her eyes, but didn�t answer. �Do you love him?� LaShana asked. �Are you ready to use those words yet?� As Alex opened her mouth to answer, there was a knock at the door. �I told them not to come around.� Storm protested. Alex got up and moved toward the door; Leah and LaShana following her. �What�s that noise?� Ice asked, looking around the room. Ice got up from the bed and walked toward the balcony, Storm, RIP and Kanike following her. Alex opened the door and started laughing, as did LaShana and Leah. Christian stood outside the door in a T-shirt, sweats and what looked like a bell hops coat. �You look like you knocked over a busboy.� Leah observed. Christian bit his tongue not to laugh �cause that�s exactly what he�d done. He and Sandra had been on their way back to the room when Chris �volunteered� him for this assignment. Alex glanced down the hall at Sandra for explaination. �Don�t look at me.� Sandra called out, �I�m not really here.� Alex rolled her eyes laughing as she turned back to Christian. �Ma�am.� He began slipping in to his character. �I've been informed that a certain gentleman requests your attention.� Directing his speech to Alex. �I�ll bet he does.� LaShana remarked. Alex only nodded, �Please tell the gentleman,� she began, deciding to play along, �that my evening is otherwise occupied and we�ll have to make other arrangements.� She explained. �The gentleman doesn�t wish to disturb or interrupt your evening. He�d only like to relay a message.� Christian continued. �Is that allowed?� Alex asked her sisters playfully. �I guess we can make an exception.� Leah offered. �Okay . . .what�s the message?� Alex asked. �ALEX!!!!� Ice shouted from the balcony. �I think you need to get out here!� Storm was grinning wildly, while Kanike was rolling her eyes but Alex could see she was trying not to smile. RIP was leaning over the balcony quite precariously. �What is it? Alex shouted back. LaShana and Leah, curiosity getting the better of them walked away from the door and out toward the balcony. �The gentleman,� Christian began, Alex turning back to him; �would like to relay his message personally.� Christian smiled, as Alex looked at him confused. �Your presence is requested on the balcony.� He informed her and simply walked away. Alex shut the door, then walked out to the balcony to join her sisters. When Alex walked out, her sisters moved so she could walk up to the railing. They were on the fourth floor as Alex got to the railing she looked out unto what she remembered was the back parking lot of the hotel. What she saw instead had her heart in her throat. �Oh my . . .� she gasped before she became speechless. What she saw was Chris standing in the middle of the parking lot with a portable mic, his back to her. The guys were around him in a semi-circle. Obviously waiting for her, Chris turned around and put the mic to his lips. �What are you doing?� she mouthed to Chris. �Hello Angel!!!� he called out. �Since I couldn�t convince you earlier to be with me tonight. I thought I�d give it one more shot.� He announced. Alex heard the music start and the familiar sounds of Angel Eyes drifted from a stereo that had been piped into the hotel PA system. Angel eyes, you have angel eyes Such a smile that lights up my life You�re a dream come true Now I�m holding you, and I�ll never, never let you go Alex clasps her hand over her mouth in shock. She thought she was dreaming. First time I laid my eyes upon you All my dreams were answered First time I kissed your tender lips My love to you I surrendered I�ll never let you She smiled down to him, oblivious to the other hotel patrons that were starting to gather in the parking lot or out unto their balconies. You�re always on my mind You�re the only one for me You�re all I need, and I�ll never, never let you go She saw nothing but Chris as he smiled up at her. Angel eyes, my heart relies on the love that you give to me You never let me down, you�re always on my side And I�ll never, never let you go When my heart starts to crumble And the tears start to fall You hold me close with tender lovin� And you give me the strength to carry on I�ll never let you go You�re always on my mind You�re the only one for me You�re all I need, and I�ll never, never let you go The song was familiar to her, but she heard something click in her mind. The tears started to fall faster as the last line faded into the night. The hotel patrons and people gathered in the parking lot applauding wildly as Chris took a bow. Alex turned to see Kanike smiling; Alex smiled brightly and raised her eyebrow, silently asking, �Now do you understand?� Kanike twisted her smile into a smirk and after a minute shrugged. �He�s still blond.� She finally answered. ~~*~~ Alex was waiting in her room alone; the girls had abruptly canceled their evening�s plans after Chris� serenade. �I can�t believe I didn�t remember.� She thought, �How could I have possibly forgotten.� When the knock came, she practically ran to it to open the door. When she saw Chris standing there she jumped and throwing her arms around his neck holding tightly. �Hey you.� He whispered, �What�s wrong?� having seen the tears before she hugged him. �You sang to me.� She whispered, refusing to let go. Chris held her tightly walking into the room, closing the door with his foot. �It wasn�t supposed to make you cry.� Chris set her on the floor and made her look at him, �Baby, don�t cry.� He asked softly, brushing her tears. Alex shook her head, �You sang to me.� she repeated. Chris chuckled softly, �I know. I was there.� Alex shook her head again, �You sang to me . . .that night I was in the hospital. The night Tori attacked me.� she explained rambling. Chris smiled and started to speak, but Alex spoke first before he could start. Her hands on his waist clutching his shirt tightly, �I thought I was dreaming. I couldn�t wake up. I felt like I was lost. I heard you. I heard you singing to me.� she rambled. �I didn�t think you knew. You thought it was Jesse.� Chris responded softly. �I remember both, but you sound different. I thought it was Jesse because he�s who I saw when I woke up.� She began but stopped completely because she felt the tears start again. "But I heard your voice in the dark. You brought me back. You�re the reason I woke up.� She explained. Chris held her to him tightly, wrapping her arms around his waist; Alex buried her face in Chris� chest. �I was so scared that night.� Chris admitted. �That was supposed to be our first date, do you remember?� Alex nodded not lifting her head. �After waiting, I had finally asked you out, then you ended up in the hospital. I sat there with you, talking to you. Wondering why it was fate didn�t want us together. First Paul, then your breakup. Then the night I ask you out you end up in the hospital.� Chris whispered. �Then you got sick. Everything was against us. Fate was working against us.� Alex shook her head. �No more.� She stated firmly, looking up at him. �Nothing is going to keep us apart.� She whispered. Alex saw a look in his eyes, �What?� she asked softly. �Alex, I . . .� Chris began but stopped when they both heard the knock at the door. Neither moved for a moment uncertain if they wanted to answer. When the knocking became more insistent, Alex let go of Chris and went to answer it. �Come on baby girl . . .you too Chris. We�re all downstairs in the bar.� Jesse offered pulling on her hand. Alex turned to Chris holding out her other hand, �Do you want to go?� She asked. Chris walked toward the door, pulling Alex out of Jesse�s grasp into his arms. �I�ll go anywhere with you.� He whispered into her hair. �Yuck!� Jesse groaned, �Could you two be any more disgusting?� Alex giggled into Chris� chest, then looked up at him. �Maybe - if we tried.� She offered. Chris smiled, �Oh yeah, definitely.� Jesse rolled his eyes, �Come on. If you two are going to continue, I�m going to need liquor.� |