| Part III |
| Alex stood with her sisters� and the guys in the foyer of the courtroom. They were waiting for the judge who was running late. ~You all right little girl? Kane said you had a nightmare. 'Taker asked. Alex looked around to make sure Jesse and X-Pac weren�t watching her before she answered him. *I�m fine. It was nothing, just a bad dream. Alex assured him. A court officer opened the door, �Would you all step inside please?� He requested. All of them moved inside, and aimlessly talked about the evening�s show. �You ready for you match against Rikishi?� Jesse asked Kane. �Yeah, we went over moves the other night.� Kane answered. �I�m holding on to the title.� Alex smiled and her eyes darted to a door that was opening near the back of the room. Before Alex could focus on the individual she felt all the air leave her lungs and she moaned. �Alex, honey that�s my arm . . . Alex, my arm . . .your nails are digging into my . . .� Jesse gritted, trying to pry Alex�s hand off his forearm. He saw Alex stare straight ahead and followed her gaze. �What the fuck?! Jesse yelled. Everyone turned in the direction he and Alex were staring to see Tori being led into the courtroom by a guard. �What is she doing here?!� Jeff demanded, pulling RIP closer to him. As Tori was being lead to the defense table by the guard she looked adoringly at Kane and winked at him. Before she sat down in the chair, she slowly looked around at the women in the room. Alex gasped and gripped Jesse�s arm tighter. �It�s okay, baby girl.� Jesse assured her, putting his arm around her, �She can�t hurt you.� Alex pushed Jesse lightly, �Jesse, get off me!� she ordered quietly. �I�m not afraid of that bitch.� She informed him. She searched the group to find 'Taker and Kane. *Hurts. It hurts. She informed them putting her hand on her chest. *I�ve never felt so much hatred. It�s painful. 'Taker nodded and looked directly at Alex and after a few moments Alex felt the pressure loosen in her chest. It didn�t hurt as much. Alex looked around to see that Hunter was holding Leah in his arms tightly. As she glanced around Alex noticed all the men had pulled her sisters into their arms and were holding them possessively. When Alex turned to look at Tori again she realized Jesse and X-Pac were now on each side of her. Since Jesse had not moved when she pushed him, she reached for his hand. Jesse took it tightly and squeezed as he smiled down at her. Everyone sat down as the guard told them the judge would be in shortly. Before sitting down Alex walked over to their lawyer. �What the hell is she doing here?� she demanded. �That psycho needs to stay locked up!� �Hold on.� Mr. Jameson requested, �I was only informed a short time ago. Apparently, she�s here to throw herself on the mercy of the court.� He stated sarcastically. �To beg the court for mercy.� �Mercy!?� Alex shrieked. �You can not be serious?� LaShana asked. Alex felt without looking behind her that her sisters had joined her. �That psycho bitch has been sending us letters about how she�s going to tear us into pieces and she expects mercy!?� Kanike yelled in a hushed whisper �Unfortunately, the law states that the accused has the right to meet their accusers.� Mr. Jameson explained. �I believe she�s just here to annoy you. The judge is well versed in this case and the situation. He is also ready to rule in favor of you ladies on this matter.� He assured them. The door opened again and the judge stepped up to the bench. The ladies took their seats as the guard called the room to order. Before the judge could speak, Tori�s lawyer rose from his chair. �Your honor . . .before you rule. I�d like to ask if we could present a character witness?� �Your honor.� Mr. Jameson rose from his chair; �We were under the impression that this hearing was a formality. My clients� peace of mind and safety is paramount.� The judge looked thoughtful for a few moments. �I agree Mr. Jameson. Mr. Lenox you client has made some very serious and very real threats against Mr. Jameson�s clients. Despite attempts to curb them, she has deliberately continued. Any character witness you would bring forward would have to be rather convincing.� Judge Keys admonished. �Your honor. All we ask at this time is for the witness to be heard. Any decisions you make after that . . .are yours of course.� Mr. Lenox asked submissively with a sly grin. �Slick bastard.� Hunter gritted. �Approach the bench.� Judge Keys addressed of the lawyers. The group fidgeted restlessly while the judge and the lawyers spoke. Alex felt eyes boring into her, but she didn�t look around because she knew it was Tori. Just as quickly as it started it stopped . . .or rather shifted. Alex looked up to see Kane holding Storm close to him and she had her head on his shoulder. Alex felt her chest tighten again and she was finding it hard to breath. 'Taker, LaShana, and Ice all turned to her. Alex grinned at them, *Subtle much? -Are you all right? LaShana asked. *Yeah, Alex replied, nodding, *All this hatred . . .is a little hard to take. She replied haltingly. ~Is it all coming from her? 'Taker asked. *It has to be. Who else . . . Alex stopped because she felt a familiar presence. ~What is it? Kane and 'Taker asked together. Before she could answer, Judge Keys spoke. �I�ve decided to let Mr. Lenox present his character witness.� He announced. �Son of a bitch.� Steve growled loud enough to be heard. LaShana put her hand on his arms to try and soothe him. The judge only glared at him as he continued. �Due to time restraints on Mr. Jameson�s clients . . .this is not going to be lengthy, Mr. Lenox.� Judge Keys warned him. �Of course your honor.� Mr. Lenox began. The girls all saw Alex drop her head. *Hell! She gritted. �What is it? Kanike asked. �What�s wrong? Storm asked. �Your honor, I�d like to call to the stand, Mr. Paul Wight.� Mr. Lenox announced. To say that announcement caused a commotion would be like saying Trash Skankus has had some cosmetic surgery. The entire group of men rose to their feet shouting as the judge banged his gavel for order. �This court will come to order!� he demanded. ~Is that would you meant, little girl. Kane asked. Alex only nodded; her temper was reaching the boiling point. As the doors opened and Paul entered, her temper nearly snapped to see the smug smile on his face. Paul took the stand and was sworn in. �Mr. Wight, how long have you known the defendant?� Mr. Lenox began. �A few months after her debut in the WWF. I�d heard of her through the industry however.� Paul replied. �Yeah, about how she�s a backstabbing slut.� X-Pac whispered to the group. �On the night in question, were you under the impression that my client was going to harm anyone?� Mr. Lenox asked. �No, I�ve never known Tori to be dangerous.� Paul answered. �A lot of our fans sometimes confuse our characters with our actually personality.� �So you�ve never known her to be violent?� Mr. Lenox asked. Shaking his head, Paul answered. �No of course not. I�ve always known her to be quite pleasant.� �I think I�m going to be sick.� Leah announced sarcastically. �The bullshit is getting a bit deep in here.� Jesse observed. The questions continued, Mr. Lenox found new and creative ways to ask the same question: did Paul believe Tori was dangerous. Mr. Lenox finally rested his case. Before Mr. Jameson started his cross, Alex leaned forward and whispered a few questions to him. He nodded and wrote them down. �Mr. Wight, on the night in question, what was the defendant doing at a WWF event?� Mr. Jameson asked. �I don�t understand the question?� Paul replied. �Why not? He used small word.� Jesse whispered to Alex. Alex clasped her hand over her mouth before she laughed out loud. �Mr. Lenox�s client had been let go from the WWF earlier in the week. Weren�t you aware of that?� Mr. Jameson asked. Alex grinned as she saw Paul shift in his chair. �I knew she hadn�t been at that weeks shows.� Paul answered. �So you weren�t aware of the circumstances for the defendant�s being fired?� Mr. Jameson asked disbelievingly. Paul looked over at Alex and glared at her. She glared back and raised an eyebrow, daring him to lie and perjure himself. �I�d heard rumors . . .but that�s nothing new in this industry.� Paul replied. �So you were not aware that the defendant had made several threats toward my clients?� Mr. Jameson asked. Paul only shook his head. �Hmm . . .interesting.� Mr. Jameson concluded. �Incidentally why did you enlist the defendant�s help on the night in question?� Paul only stared at him for a moment. �I . . .� he stammered. Mr. Jameson walked back toward the prosecution table. �I�m only asking because she had obviously missed several shows and there were approximately . . .what is it,� looking at his notes, �three women wrestlers who were at the show that night. Why not enlist their help?� Mr. Jameson asked. Paul looked over at Mr. Lenox for help. Sensing Paul was reaching for a lie, Mr. Jameson continued, �Is it because you knew Mr. Lenox�s client had a personal vendetta against my clients?!� he asked. �You knew she was looking for a way to extract revenge on the women she believed wronged her? You knew she would help you no questions asked.� Mr. Jameson demanded. �You needed an advantage in a match to retain your position in the WWF and you used the volatile situation between my clients and the defendant as a way to achieve it?!� Mr. Jameson accused. �That�s not true!� Paul shouted. �We weren�t even told the outcome of the match until that night!� he countered. �Yes!� Mr. Jameson countered; glad Paul had stepped into the line of questions he was leading. �And what did you do when you did find out the outcome?� he asked. �I believe you asked a group in the WWF known as Degeneration X� he continued, looking over his notes for the unfamiliar name, �to help you as well. You asked those gentleman to go down to the ring to remove my clients from ringside, did you not?� Mr. Jameson asked. �Those gentleman had no idea that you had not cleared this distraction with Mr. McMahon? Or that you had NOT cleared it with my clients!� Mr. Jameson accused him. �We have three of those four gentlemen in the courtroom today. We can call them to the stand if necessary.� Mr. Jameson gestured toward the gallery. Hunter, X-Pac, and Jesse all sat up straighter with smug smiles on their faces anxious to be of help. �Mr. Wight, I believe you were well aware of what Mr. Lenox�s client was capable of doing to my clients. You were well aware of her obsession with my clients� boyfriend - an obsession that drove her to the brink. On the night in question had my client � while not a trained wrestler, she is an accomplished and more than capable fighter � been a lesser individual the outcome would have been much worse. The defendant would be here facing far worse charges that misdemeanor assault.� Mr. Jameson walked away from the witness stand to stand in front of the judge. �Your honor . . .� Mr. Jameson began. �Don�t bother, Mr. Jameson.� Judge Key�s interrupted, waving his hand. �Mr. Lenox, your character witness has done very little to improve my perception of your client. It�s done quite the opposite. Furthermore, I�m seriously considering accessorial implications on Mr. Wight for his role in this incident. He was obviously well aware of the defendants problems with Mr. Jameson�s clients and decided to take full advantage of them.� Judge Keys decided. �Will the defendant please rise. After careful review of this case, the evidence presented, it is the decision of this court that the defendant be placed in the state institution for the criminally insane for the period of no less than 5 years. At that time this court will review your behavior and progress. Additionally if you have any further contact or if you continue to threaten Mr. Jameson�s clients you will be in violation of the nationwide stalking laws and be subject to such penalties under those laws. As of this moment you are not allowed with 500 yards of any WWF venue. You are not allowed any contact with any of Mr. Jameson�s clients. If any such contact is made or if such restraining order is violated, you will receive the maximum penalty under those stalking laws. This court is adjourned.� As the judge hammered his gavel to signal the end of the session Alex turned to Jesse with an incredibly satisfied smile on her face. �All done.� she grinned. Jesse smiled and hugged her. Alex turned to her sisters. Before any of them could speak, they heard a chair at the end of the courtroom hit the floor. �You stupid bitches! You think this is over?!� Tori screamed. �This isn�t over. I�ll get you for this. If it�s the last thing I EVER do!� she screamed. It took two guards to pull Tori from the courtroom as she continued to shout threats. The men and women stood silently for a moment a bit shocked at the outburst. But their shock increased when they turned to hear Alex giggling. �You found that amusing, little girl?� 'Taker asked aloud obviously confused and angry. Alex took a moment to contain herself because she could tell the men were getting angry. �I know the situation isn�t funny. But when she started screaming I had a flash of one of those tacky movies where the insane bad guy is dragged off in shackles swearing revenge . . .� Alex stopped haltingly, as they just stared at her. �Okay . . .fine, so I�m the only one who has a twisted sense of humor, sue me.� she pouted, crossing her arms. Jesse smiled and put his arm around her, �I think all this stress has finally gotten to you. You�ve cracked.� He observed patting her head like she was a child. Alex elbowed him in the stomach and grinned. �I think we need to get to the arena.� Jim stated. Everyone headed out of the courtroom. Alex stopped, �Hold up Jesse. I need to talk to Mr. Jameson for a second. I�ll be right back.� Alex walked back inside to find Mr. Jameson signing some papers for the court reporter. When Alex approached him, he looked up and smiled. �I just wanted to thank you for everything. But I also had a question. Why did the judge request a restraining order if she�s locked up?� Alex asked. �It�s merely a precaution. They haven�t decided what facility she will be put in and since all of you live around the country and travel so extensively.� Mr. Jameson stated. �Each time you get within the area that facility would have to be notified.� �I�d call it overkill.� Alex grit her teeth and rolled her eyes as she turn around to look at Paul. �Nobody asked for you opinion.� She stated calmly. Then turned back to Mr. Jameson, �Thanks again for all your help.� Alex turned to walk out; and as she walked past Paul she held her head up but refused to look at him. When she was almost past him Paul grabbed her arm. Alex whirled around slapped him as hard as she could. �Get your hands off me! Don�t ever touch me!� she seethed. Paul�s head had snapped back. �I forgot you got a wicked right.� He growled. �Stay away from me and you�ll never have to be reminded.� She snapped. Alex turned around to walk out and saw 'Taker, Kanike, Storm and Kane standing in the entrance. Storm and Kanike smiled at her. �Taker and Kane were glaring at Paul. �Just thought you might like to know about the main event.� Paul called out. �What the hell does that mean?� Kanike asked. �I never got my return title shot. Rikishi cut in line. You and I fight for the title tonight.� Paul announced glaring at Kane. �What the hell?� Alex questioned, turning around to glare at Paul. �May the best man win.� Paul offered sarcastically and he walked past them all. Alex, Storm, and Kanike turned to Kane. �Something you want to tell us?� Storm asked accusingly. ~ I had no idea! He exclaimed defensively. ~We need to get to the arena. I need to have a few words with Vince. |