happy30

�Have you seen the schedule?� Chris asked as Alex walked into his dressing room. She waved the papers she was holding, �Just got� em. We�re heading back to Houston.� She said casually. �You don�t sound all excited.� Chris observed. When Alex only shrugged, �We spend so little time there.   Aren�t you excited to see your family? To be going home?� he asked. �My apartment isn�t what I ever considered home. My sister and mom usually are busy. I try to see them when we have days off, but it doesn�t always work out.� She shrugged.   �Our schedules don�t mesh.� She said off-handily. Chris noticed the look in her eyes and tone in her voice. He took her hand and pulled her down on his lap. �What�s wrong?� he asked softly. �Nothing. Lydia and I communicate better through email. I told her we would be back in town soon. I haven�t heard back from her.� She answered. �The city was never a good place for me. I had no regrets when I left to come out on the road.

You, Kane, 'Taker, and the girls are my family now.� She stated and she pecked his cheek. �So I don�t get to meet her?� Chris asked. Alex finally realized what the conversation was about. �Don�t you want to show off your cute new boyfriend?� he asked smiling. �Sure.� she replied. �But he�s busy that week.� She stated off-handedly as she got up from his lap. Chris grabbed her around the waist to pull her back down and started tickling her. �You�re not funny.� He mentioned as she squirmed. �STOP!� she demanded breathlessly. Chris stopped; holding her closely, his face buried in her hair. Alex sensed that although the question had been asked in jest he was actually quite serious.

�If she gets back to me, I�ll see what I can set up, �kay?� she informed him. She leaned into kiss him. They sat there for a few minutes enjoying each other until the door opened.   They both turned and looked up when they heard exaggerated kissing noises. �AWWWWW!� Jesse commented. �Ain�t they cute.� He drawled sweetly, as X-Pac snickered. �He�s just jealous.� Hunter observed, holding Leah to his side. �Mutt,� Alex sighed, �you need to find a girlfriend.� She exclaimed as she rose from Chris� lap. �Nobody will have him.� Jeff mentioned as he and RIP walked in, followed by Matt. Jesse, X-Pac took seats near Chris as they continued to laugh.

�What time is dinner?� X-Pac asked. Alex turned to him; �Do I look like a bulletin board? I don�t know. But they�ve probably set up by now.� She answered. �NO!� Jesse exclaimed, �At your place?� he asked. When Alex only looked at him confused, �You mean you�re not cooking?� he whined. �What are you talking about?� Chris asked. �The last time we were ALL in H-Town, baby girl cooked.� Jesse informed him. �So what makes you think I�m doing to do it again?� She asked. �You�re not going to cook?� Kane asked as he walked in. Alex turned to the door to see Kane, 'Taker LaShana, Steve, Ice and Jim walking in. Alex stiffed the giggle at the disappointment on Kane's face. �You act like you never eat.� Alex laughed at him. �Does that mean you�re not going to cook?� 'Taker asked. Alex looked around the room at expectant faces.

�Kanike and Storm already asked me what they could bring.� 'Taker mentioned. Alex glanced at Chris for help. �You�ve never cooked for me.� he pouted crossing his arms across his chest. Alex threw her hands up defeated. �Fine. I�m outnumbered.� She laughed. Alex and her sisters laughed as the men cheered.

Alex walked over and stood near Chris. �Since you�re so anxious you get to help me grocery shop.� Alex informed him.

~~*~~
Alex unlocked the door and turned to Chris, �Are you sure you don�t want any help?� she called to the bottom of the steps. He looked over the bags he was carrying and shook his head. �I said I�d carry them.� Alex watched and tried not to giggle as Chris balanced the groceries. Tonight she was cooking and she intended to enjoy herself. �I think you bought out the store.� He commented. �Well, think about it; nine hungry men and the girls. GOD forbid we should run out of food.� She laughed. �Besides I like cooking for a lot of people.� She added kissing him as he walked in.

They got the groceries in the kitchen and her luggage in the room. Alex wandered around the apartment to see that everything was as she left it. She always felt weird coming back to her apartment. It wasn�t what she ever thought of as home, but it wasn�t the endless stream of hotels. However, she just wasn�t comfortable there anymore. Alex had to give some serious thought into moving into one of the apartments in the Titan Towers. Chris had been bugging her for weeks now. Of course it didn�t help that Kane and 'Taker were backing his argument. She was finding it increasingly hard to say no to all three of them.

~~*~~
Alex stood at the stove and was stirring a pot of sauce when Chris walked up behind her. Chris sniffed at the pot in front of her. �You never told me what you were making?� he informed her. �Lasagna.� She said casually moving away from the stove to get more ingredients from the fridge.   Chris grabbed her hand pulled her toward him and dipped her.

�Marry me?� he asked.   �What?� she laughed. �Marry me. I�ll hide you away from the rest of the world where you can cook for me and only me.� he laughed maniacally. Alex laughed and swat his arm, �Chris let me up!� she demanded.   Chris set her on her feet and started lazily dancing her around the kitchen. �Marry me. Come on. We can be in Vegas in an hour.� �Vegas?!� Alex exclaimed. �Yeah! They have a ton of chapels there. We can get married at that drive through one.� Chris explained. Alex pursed her lips into a pout, �I want to get married by Elvis.� She protested. �Elvis?!� Chris asked. �You don�t like Elvis?� Alex asked mouthing the words. �Well . . .�   Alex gasped in mock horror.

Alex sniffled, �You think you know someone. You share things every day and then you find out something like this?!� She turned her back to him, putting her head in her hand. She was biting her tongue to keep from giggling. �Well . . .I just never really listen to Elvis.� Chris tried to explain. He walked up behind her putting his hands on her waist. Alex turned a giggle into another sniffle. �Do you have a CD or something; we can put it on and maybe I�ll like it.� He offered. �You don�t expect me to buy one of those leisure suits do you?� Alex couldn�t stop the laughter this time; she put her hand over her mouth to try to quiet it. Chris turned her side ways, to see the tears running down her face, as she continued to laugh. �You should have seen your face.� Alex managed through her laughter. �Mr. �Metal Edge� was going to listen to Elvis.� Chris leaned down and quieted her with a searing kiss. �I�d do anything for you, haven�t you figured that out yet.� He informed her. Alex could only blink at him when she felt all the emotion and seriousness in that one statement.

�I love when I do that to you.� Chris smirked. �Kiss me?� she asked, her voice a little shaky. �Well that�s always been good.� He mentioned, kissing her again, �but I meant render you speechless.�

Before Alex could think of something to say the doorbell rang. �The guys are here.� She stated softly, �Go answer the door.� Chris pulled her to him again and kissed her once more, �We�re going to talk about this later.� He promised.

Chris did as he was asked and went to answer the door. �Who are you?� a voice came from the front room. Alex came out of the kitchen to see her sister standing in the doorway. �Lydia!� She exclaimed. �I didn�t know you were coming over. I didn�t check my messages.� Alex explained. As she moved across the room to hug her sister she stop short when she saw the person step out from behind her.

�Ben? What are you doing here?� Alex asked. She continued to her sister and hugged her tightly, all the while eyeing him warily. �Ben has been telling me some very interesting things about your job. I thought we should talk about it.� Lydia explained. �Who is he?� she asked rudely, gesturing toward Chris.

�First, you need to change your tone. You don�t talk to guests in my house like that.� Alex�s tone reminded her sister of her manners and that she was the older of the two. �Lydia, this is Chris, Chris Jericho.� Alex offered, ignoring Ben altogether. Alex turned to smile at Chris; Chris returning the smile with a wink and smile of his own. Then Alex turned back to Lydia to continue, �He�s my . . . .� Alex stopped abruptly when she saw Lydia�s face change, she saw her sisters� eyes go hard and she crossed her arms when Chris reached to shake her hand. Alex looked at her sister sternly but said nothing.

�What do you mean telling you stuff about my job?� She asked Lydia, and then looked over at Ben. �What do you know about my job?� She asked suspiciously. �I stumbled onto some information a few months ago and thought your sister might like to know the kind of people you work with.� He informed her smugly. �Like what?� Alex asked, her suspicion increasing.

Just as she did the front door opened again and 'Taker poked his head in. He looked around the room, and sensed Alex�s tension. �You told me to use the key.� He stated; Alex nodded and waved him inside. As 'Taker made his way over to her he saw Ben. He remembered him from their last visit to town. �'Taker, you remember my sister Lydia, don�t you?� she asked. 'Taker saw the woman in front of Alex and nodded to her. �Yes, of course. How are you?� he asked. Lydia only nodded. ~What�s going on little girl? He asked her. *I wish I knew. She answered, looking at him.

Tired of being ignored, Ben spoke up; �You were with him last time. What are you doing? Working your way through all of them?� He sneered. Alex gasped and before she could stop either of them, both Chris and 'Taker had crossed the room. 'Taker reached Ben first - in what seemed like one step and snatched up Ben by the front of his shirt.

�You need to watch your mouth.� 'Taker growled.   Alex tugged on 'Taker�s arm and Chris was trying to stand between 'Taker and Ben. �'Taker - let him go.� She pleaded. Alex looked across the room to her sister. Lydia had backed up against the wall, shocked at 'Taker�s reaction. *You�re scaring Lydia. Alex informed him. 'Taker released Ben, tossing him slightly; Alex stepped in front of 'Taker, planting her hands on his chest she pushed him across the room.   Chris stood chest to chest with Ben, glaring at him for his outrageous comment.

�What ever you came here for, it doesn�t matter. You need to go . . . NOW.� she insisted, turning to Ben. When she did she saw Chris and Ben glaring at each other.   Alex crossed the room again to retrieve Chris, pulling him away from Ben. Lydia then spoke up; �I want him here.� She insisted. �Why!?� Alex questioned turning to Lydia, and keeping one hand on Chris chest to hold him in place.   �Whatever this is about, I don�t feel the need to explain myself to him.� She gestured to Ben.   �Why don�t you tell us what this about.� Chris requested addressing Lydia. �You�re obviously upset about something he�s told you and the sooner we get it straightened out the better.�

Lydia glared at Chris and turned her back to him to address Alex, but before she could speak, �Okay, wait a second. What is your problem?� Alex asked Lydia. �That is the second time you�ve been rude to him. You don�t even know him.� ~I think this has to do with Chris, little girl. Alex looked at 'Taker. *Did you read her mind? She asked. ~No, course not. Not without her permission, just a guess. Lydia watched while Alex and 'Taker talked to each other.

�What is the deal with you two?� she asked. She couldn�t hear the conversation going on in their heads and was confused at the way 'Taker and Alex looked at each other. �Which one of these guys are you with?� she asked angrily, gesturing wildly. �What the hell does that mean?� Alex asked. Chris walked up behind Alex and put his arms around her waist; he could see Alex�s nerves starting to jump. Lydia stalked over and pushed him away and pulled Alex toward her. �Don�t touch my sister! You are never going to touch my sister again!� she yelled.

�So you actually started to date him after he started hitting you?� Ben sneered. Alex went cold and she turned to see a look slide across Chris� face. Her heart hurt because she felt his anguish, but anger burned the tears that should have fell. �Where did you hear that?� she asked Ben coldly. Alex moved away from her sister and went to stand near Ben. Chris backed up and was standing next to 'Taker.

�You forget I have a lot of friends . . .� Ben started. �The way you treat people, that�s a little hard to believe.� 'Taker observed. Alex threw up her hand, to make 'Taker stop. She needed to know what Ben knew, and more importantly how badly he�s twisted it. And how much he had told Lydia.

�A friend told me about the time a bunch of wrestler were at a hotel. About how one of them had beaten his girlfriend. The woman he described was strikingly similar to you. I didn�t believe it at first, considering your backhand.� Ben stated. Alex grinned wickedly remembering the time she�d struck him. �So you just assumed it was me and ran to tell Lydia.� She asked. If this could possibly be avoided she was going to try. The situation was too difficult to explain.

Everyone turned when the door opened again. Kane walked in with a majority of her evening�s guest: Jessie, X-Pac, Jeff, Hunter, Matt, Steve and Jim. Alex looked around for her sisters�. �Where are the girls?� she asked, she needed them at the moment. �Kanike took them to some bakery, to get dessert.� Kane informed her. Lydia interrupted again. �So what is this? All these guys just wander into your apartment.� Lydia stated. Alex could see her nerves were starting to get away from her.

�Little girl, what�s going on?� Kane asked; he had seen Ben, and knew something wasn�t right. �Apparently Ben has been informing my sister that Chris beats me.� She informed them; her voice dripping with sarcasm. All the men looked from Ben, to Lydia and then at each other in shock and disbelief. X-Pac and Jim recognized Ben from the pool hall. 'Taker moved away from the wall to stand on one side of Alex.   Kane move to stand on the other side and put his hand on her shoulder. Chris was still in shock, he stood against the wall; he had not said a word. Jessie, Hunter, Matt, Jeff and Steve looked slightly confused at the whole situation.

�You used to be a better judge of character, Alex.� Lydia stated sharply. �And you used to come to me before believing stories from strangers.� Alex countered, turning to her. �And that�s what he is to me now.� gesturing toward Ben.

X-Pac spoke up, �Is she talking about . . .� he started. Alex shot him a look, but it was too late. �So it is true!� Lydia yelled. Alex cursed under her breath at the look of satisfaction that ran across Ben�s face. Alex turned to her sister, to try to explain the events of that night. When she did she saw Lydia standing in front of 'Taker. She had pushed him against the wall shocking him. �You! The last time you were here you acted like you cared about my sister! And you let him do this to her!� She was yelling.

Alex stood there for a minute, knowing it was useless to interrupt Lydia when she began ranting. She let her sister carry on for a minute before she spoke. She would remember later that she thought it quite amusing seeing her sister yelling and shaking her finger at �The American Badass�. Although Alex and her sister were opposite�s physically - where Alex was just over 5 feet, long curly reddish hair. Lydia was almost a foot taller, with shorter straight black hair - the one thing they did have strikingly in common was their tempers.

�Lydia!� she yelled trying to interrupt. �And you.� Lydia whirled around to confront her. �Dammit Alex. How could you possibly go out with him?� Lydia asked disbelieving. �Is this the kind of people you work with; spend your time with? Who you call friends?� She continued, gesturing around the room including all the men in her tirade. �When you left, you were gone for so long. But when you came back you seemed happier. You always seemed sad here. I could never understand why. That night at Slick�s; every email or phone call, I could tell that you�re so much happier.�

�Lydia will you let me explain.� Alex tried. �No.� Chris spoke up, moving to stand near Alex. �Let me. It�s me she�s angry with.�   �YOU! You don�t have anything to say that I want to hear.� Lydia screamed. �How dare . . .�   �Callate!� Alex yelled, shocking everyone in the room. �Cierra la boca!� She snapped at her sister. Lydia stopped abruptly and the two sisters glared at each other. Chris continued to Alex and stood next to her. He took her hand in his and squeezed. He felt her hands trembling and did his best to calm her.
(Translation: Be quiet! Shut your mouth!)

�First of all, I DID NOT and DO NOT beat Alex.� He stated, glared at Ben menacingly. �I did however, hit her - once.� Chris stated quietly. �Oh well. Only once, well that explains it.� Lydia snapped sarcastically.   �I know everything now.� Alex walked over to Lydia, her patience nearly gone and stood in front of her sister, �Sientate!� Alex instructed her pointing to a chair. �Tu no sabes nada! Dejalo que explique.� She added. Lydia sat down and crossed her arms, as if a child when being scolded.
(Translation: Sit down! You know nothing! Let him explain.)

The rest of the men took a seat around the room; all of them had seen Alex when her temper flew and were thinking that she would turn her temper on them next. The room became deathly silent as Chris walked over, pulled a chair to sit near Lydia and started talking. Since all of the men knew of the incident and most of them in the room had been there that night except Matt, Jeff and 'Taker none of them were shocked at what they heard. Jesse and X-Pac still had twinges of guilt for jumping to the wrong conclusions that night. 'Taker stood silently next to Alex with his arms crossed over his chest. She could see the scowl on his face growing deeper. He was out with an injury during that time and Alex knew deep down he somehow blamed himself - just as Kane did. Alex had not known at the time that she was his bride, but he felt he should have known she was in danger and the incident shouldn�t have happened at all. He stood next to her now with his arm around her shoulders because he could feel her pain. . Hearing Chris have to re-live that night and continue to defend himself was difficult for her. Kane knew Alex had never blamed Chris and knew, even then, in her heart that Chris would never hurt her. Her pain was compounded because she could also feel Chris� pain as well.

Alex leaned against Kane and watched her sister�s face, trying to see if she would accept Chris� explanation. She happened to glance at Ben, who was leaning against the wall. She was caught between resentment for Ben�s presence, and the anguish she felt from Chris at having to explain his actions to Lydia. Sometimes her empathic abilities created the weirdest emotions in her.

�When I woke up on the floor my head was killing me.� Chris was explaining. Lydia looked over and smiled at Kane. �I didn�t know what had just happened. I saw Alex on the bed and she was unconscious. These guys informed me,� Chris gestured toward Jesse and X-Pac, �that they were ready to kick my butt. They had seen me hit her and reacted.� Lydia turned to X-Pac and Jesse and smiled smugly. �Then when they started to explain things to me, I didn�t know what to think. I had no idea. I had completely blacked out. My head was still killing me. When Vince asked me to explain myself I blacked out again. I ended up in the hospital with a concussion. While I was there they ran some tests and that�s when they found that someone had slipped something in my drink.� Chris explained.

Alex saw Lydia�s eyes widen and she seemed shocked. She turned to look at Alex and then back to Chris. �That�s not meant as an excuse.� Chris insisted. �Alex and I weren�t even together then. She was working as my PA and she was my friend. I would never hit her intentionally.� He stated emphatically. Chris sighed as he continued, �It took about a day but the situation was explained. But I still see what I did to her. I�ll carry the image of her face with the black-eye that I gave her with me forever.� Chris stated. �I love your sister.� He added simply, looking over at Alex. Turning back to Lydia, �Been in love with her for quite a while. I would never do anything to hurt her. Or let anyone else hurt her.�

Lydia sat silently for a minute not quite ready to believe. X-Pac and Jesse glanced at each other; �We thought the same thing.� Jesse stated. Lydia turned in their direction. �When we walked in that room,� X-Pac continued, �the only thing that was on my mind was that Chris had hit her and there was NO excuse good enough for that. I jumped; I even assumed he�d done it before.�   �But as Alex so eloquently explained to me,� Jesse stated looking over at Alex.   Both were remembering the conversation and both smiling.   �That if anyone had been hitting her, there would be no way of hiding something like that. This group is entirely too tight. No one could hurt Alex; not without one of us knowing.� Jesse stated emphatically. Lydia looked around at the other men in the room and was reassured by the nods that they gave her in return.

The room was silent for a moment, then Lydia turned to ask a question of 'Taker but stopped when Ben started clapping. �This is all so very touching.� He started, looking around at everyone. �I�m really moved by your performance.� Looking over at Lydia, �These guys act in the ring all the time. Don�t you think they�re lying now? To cover their ass.� Ben smirked. �That�s it!� Hunter shouted angrily. �Son of a . . .� Steve started. All the men in the room rose to their feet angered by the accusation.

�Shut up Ben.� Lydia ordered just loud enough to be heard.   All eyes turned to her. She was still sitting in the chair with her head down staring at the floor. �Why did I listen to you?� she asked more to herself, shaking her head. Lydia lifted her head to look over at Ben as she continued, �I missed Alex and I let you plant stuff in my head.� She sighed.   �It never occurred to me how bitter you were . . .are.� Lydia corrected herself, emphasizing the last word. Alex smiled and Kane felt her relax. Lydia looked up at her sister, �I�m so sorry.� She chokingly apologized, tears in her eyes. �I should have known better.�

Alex walked over, knelt down and hugged her. After a minute, Alex let go of Lydia and wiped the tears that had fallen onto her sister�s cheeks. Alex could feel Lydia�s sorrow at not trusting her. �It�s okay.� Alex whispered to her. �I don�t believe this.� Ben stated angrily. Alex rose to her feet, her eyes narrowing and started to walk over to Ben. Kane moved to grab her hand, �Alex?� he asked worriedly. He knew she had a tendency to hit when she became angry enough and he could feel her temper reaching the breaking point. Alex shook her head, squeezed his hand and let it go, �I�m alright.� She whispered.

�You make me sick.� Alex stated simply, when she was standing near Ben �All of this because you just couldn�t handle me walking away?� she asked doubtfully. Looking around the room casually, �Does anyone else find this particularly demented?� she asked rhetorically.   �You do realize this is insane, don�t you? This is so pathetic; it�s sad really.� Alex continued. �I guess I should be flattered in a way.� She stated casually, feeling his anger, knowing she was getting under his skin. �You were just angry the last time, now you�re bitter.� She continued her tone turning cold. �So much so that you have to make up trash to try and hurt me and hurt my sister.� Alex saw his face change, and contort with anger. She saw his fist ball up. She felt more than saw 'Taker and Kane move, *NO! She told them, *Let me do this.

�You wouldn�t dare.� Nodding toward his hands, �You haven�t got the guts. Why can�t you just walk away? Let it go.� She asked. Ben sneered, �Yeah, you�re real tough with a room full of men to back you up.� He stated, nodding around the room. Alex looked over her shoulders around the room to see that all of them had taken a step closer. They weren�t sure if Ben would be stopped by just Alex�s words and it touched her heart.   Alex turned back to Ben and smiled smugly, �Yeah.� She nodded. �These guys would tear you apart . . .if I�d let them.� she stated. Then taking a step closer so only Ben could hear, �Tu me conoces.� pointing at him.   �Tu sabes que yo no los necesito.� She stated dangerously, her eyes narrowing. She saw his eyes flash and then change. Alex stepped back, and continued. �Get out of my house. And get out of my life. If I ever hear that you�ve bothered my sister again, you will regret it.� Alex took another step back from him; she walked right into Chris� arms. He had moved to stand behind her; he slid his hand around Alex�s waist to hold her tightly against him.
(Translation: But you know me. You know I don�t need them.)

�What did you ever see in him?� Chris asked. �I�m trying to remember.� She answered, leaning back against him and placing her hand over his. Ben was trying to gather what there was of his dignity at this point, but was also a little intimidated of the path he�d have to take to get from where he stood to the door. Alex saw this and nodded to the guys to let him pass; slowly they moved back a few steps as Ben eased his way to the door. He stopped and leered toward Alex, as he was still close enough to her. �Well when you�ve run through all these guys, you�ll come crawling back to me. And maybe I won�t be around.� He sneered.

Alex started to laugh at his remark because it truly struck her as funny. Suddenly she felt Chris moving her out of the way to get to Ben. �No!� she cried, grabbing his arm, trying to hold him. She moved around Chris to stand closer to Ben. They stood face-to-face mere inches apart. �Terco!� She gritted at him. �Get it through your head! This little game is over. Make one more stupid comment and I won�t stop him.� She gestured behind her. �You�re waiting for me to react to you.� Alex grinned wickedly. �It�s not going to happen. You mean nothing to me anymore. I wouldn�t waste my time.� she informed him. �Oh, the hell with it.� She stated; reared back and hit him across the face with her fist. She saw his head snap back and heard Lydia giggle. Chris grabbed Alex around the waist and pulled her to him again. He then gestured for Jim, who was closest, to open the door.
(Translation: Stubborn!)

As the door came open the girls who were about to knock jumped as one. �Hey!� They all sensed the mood in the room was not pleasant. They looked at Chris who was holding Alex�s hand, which was starting to swell, and at Ben who was holding his jaw. �Did we miss something?� Ice asked casually walking in the door. She noticed the expression on everyone�s face, and she recognized Ben from the last visit. �Nothing worth mentioning.� Alex stated calmly. The ladies all walked in and stood next to their men. Ben made his way to the door, and gave one last glare at Alex. From within Chris� arms she simply looked up, waved and smiled sweetly.

�Oh shit! That hurt!� Alex growled, shaking her fist as soon as the door was closed. The guys started laughing at her and Chris brought her hand to his lips. He kissed it gently, �That will teach you. Why didn�t you just let me handle it?� �Cause.� She pouted, �I wanted to do it. He just made me so angry. I really just wanted him to go away! But damn if he isn�t hard-headed!� Alex stated.

Lydia was wiping her eyes from laughing as she stood up and reached for her purse.   �Hey! Where do you think you�re going?� Alex asked her. She walked over to her; �You need to stay for dinner.� Alex insisted. She leaned in so only Lydia could hear, �We�re okay.� She assured her and waited for Lydia to nod her understanding. �Besides you haven�t met the rest of my friends.� She stated and turned to the room of people. Alex put her arm around her sister and looked at her other sisters�. �Guys, this is Lydia, she�s a bit confused at the moment. But she�s my baby sister.� ��Baby�, huh? Is that why she�s taller than you are?� Jeff asked smiling, pulling RIP closer to him. �Younger sister, then.� She conceded, pouting.

�I owe all you gentleman an apology. I must have made a wonderful first impression on some of you.� Lydia stated embarrassingly; looking around she realized she hadn�t met most of them. �Actually, now we know Alex�s temper runs in her family.� Hunter joked. Leah pinched his arm to get him to stop teasing. Lydia then looked over at 'Taker, and grinned sheepishly. �I�m sorry. I know I overreacted, but I shouldn�t have pushed you.� Kanike looked up at him surprised and Alex grinned. A smirk slide across 'Taker�s face, �Well, with all these females you would think I would be used to women flying off the handle . . .OW!� he was interrupted when Kanike elbowed him in the stomach.

�Saving the worst of my mistakes for last.� Lydia stated, then moved away from Alex and stood before Chris. �I was so mean and I had no justification. I should have known better. It�s obvious you love my sister and she feels the same about you.� She stated quietly.   �I�m so very sorry.� Chris took her hands and squeezed, �I understand.� He hugged her tightly. Alex�s mood shifted, as she felt Chris was sincere in his words to Lydia, but something else was wrong. �Hey,� she gestured toward Storm, �um, Could you finish in the kitchen. It shouldn�t take too long.� She requested. She leaned toward her, pretending to whisper in her ear. *I need to talk to Chris. Storm nodded and squeezed her arm as she headed toward the kitchen.

�Come with me.� She requested of Chris quietly, pulling him toward her room. X-Pac let out a low whistle, �Damn you two. Can�t you wait until we leave?� Which caused Alex to blush madly, which in turn earned X-Pac a swat in the back of the head from both Ice and LaShana who were closest to him.

~~*~~
Alex pulled Chris into her room and closed the door. She pulled Chris to her and held him tightly. He slid his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest. �I am so sorry.� She said slowly. �That should never have happened.� She looked up at him with sorrow in her eyes. �I can�t figure out why our lives seem to be centered around that one night.�   �Maybe it�s a sign.� Chris stated quietly. �What?� she asked, holding him at arms length. �Why would you say something like that?� Alex asked. �What I did that night . . .� he started, �and what I almost did. It keeps coming back. I love you.   But maybe it�s not meant for us to be together.�

Making an effort to remain calm, she continued. �That out there - wasn�t even about that night. Ben was looking for a way to hurt me. He found it. He hurt you, by making you defend yourself to my sister.� Alex stated. �Even if she hadn�t have understood, it wouldn�t have mattered to me. She pulled Chris to her again and tried to kiss him, but he pulled away. �What�s wrong?� she asked. �You can�t kiss your way out of this.� He stated. �What?� she asked, remembering when she�d heard that last. �You�re angry with me?� she asked. �No, not angry.� He stated, shaking his head. Chris walked away from her and started to pace the room.

Chris stood silently for a few minutes, �Alex . . .do you love me?� Chris asked, looking over at her. Alex�s eyes went wide with shock and confusion. �That question can�t be too much of a shock, can it?� Chris asked obviously hurt by her lack of an answer. �I just don�t understand the question.� She replied. �How do you know we�re meant to be together?� He asked simply. �Do . . .you . . .love . . .me?� he asked again slowly. Chris walked over and stood in front of her taking her hands in his, running his thumb over the top of her hand.   �This has been far from perfect, but perfect is boring and that�s sure as hell not us. Alex, I love you.� Chris stated emphatically, looking directly in her eyes. �I need to know if you feel the same way or if these past months have been for nothing.� He asked, taking a step back from her. Alex sat down the bed and looked at the floor before she answered. �I care about you . . .� she started. �You care about Jesse. I asked you if you love me.� Chris countered and didn�t react when he saw her flinch. Alex raised her head and looked into his eyes; neither saying anything for what to Chris felt like an eternity.

�I guess that�s my answer.� Chris stated quietly.   He turned toward the door and had his hand on the handle when he turned around to look at her.   Alex could see the hurt in his eyes and feel it in her heart. Chris simply sighed and walked out the door.

Chris walked in to the living room and grabbed his jacket from the closet. �I�ll see you guys at the show.� He announced to whoever was listening. �Hey man! Where you going?� Jesse asked. He, Steve, X-Pac, Jeff, RIP, Jim, and Ice were already sitting at the table. Hunter, Leah, Matt, Storm and LaShana came out of the kitchen to see what was going on. Kane, 'Taker, Kanike, and Lydia were still standing in the living room. Chris looked over at Jesse, but said nothing as he shook his head. As Chris walked toward the door he stopped near Kane, �I tried. It wasn�t enough.� Chris informed him sadly. Chris reached the front door and opened it to walk out.

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