happy9

Part IX

Alex was sitting in the nearly empty restaurant trying to go unnoticed in the corner. Her head was pounding and she couldn�t figure out why. She wasn�t blocking Kane or 'Taker; at least not at the moment. Ever since she�d gotten out of the hospital a couple of weeks before; Kane and 'Taker, well almost all the guys, had been hovering. It was making her crazy. She�d also been snapping at everyone lately. It was beginning to make her jumpy. She couldn�t figure out why. She�d taken Jesse�s head off the night before simply because he was teasing her. She just seemed to have no patience and a really short fuse lately. She was also having trouble sleeping; she lay awake at night staring at the ceiling. She knew Kane and 'Taker were worried about her returning to work so soon, but she�d been avoiding them.

�Alex!� a voice from across the room interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see Matt making his way over to where she was sitting. �Help me?� he requested. She laughed at the expression on his face. �What did you do?� she asked, tilting her head to the side. �Have you been switching Jeff�s hair dye again?� �MATT!� Jeff yelled from the entrance of the restaurant. Alex swallowed a giggle at the guilty expression on Matt�s face. Alex looked up to see Jeff, RIP, Leah, Hunter, LaShana, and Ice making their way across the room. �If you didn�t want to go all you had to do was say so. Why am I chasing you around this hotel?� Jeff asked.

Behind him Alex�s sisters� laughed. �I didn�t know it was an event to go around the corner for ice cream.� Matt explained. �You know what happens when the fans spot us.� Alex giggled at Matt�s observation. �Come with us.� Matt asked turning back to Alex. �What do you need me for?� she asked. �Maybe if they just see a bunch of women, they won�t spot us.� Matt gestured between himself, Jeff, and Hunter.

There were some serious flaws in his logic, but Alex couldn�t resist the pleading look Matt had plastered on his face. �Good grief!� she groaned good-naturedly. �That�s the most pathetic �puppy dog� face I�ve ever seen.� Alex stated, but she took his hand, rose from her chair and allowed him to lead her from the resturant. She didn�t notice the looks exchanged between her sisters or that Paul had been across the room glaring at her.

~~*~~
Alex just couldn�t seem to concentrate. The past few days her mind kept wandering. She also had headaches she couldn�t get rid of. She tried to cover the fact that she hadn�t slept with make-up but the reasons were wearing thin. She knew Kane and 'Taker had been trying to corner her for the past few day, but so far she had been able to avoid them. Storm had left the day before and Kanike had to return to work that afternoon and she knew she couldn�t avoid 'Taker for much longer.

She didn�t know what she was going to tell them. Alex had no explanation as to why she wasn�t sleeping. As for the headache, it just wouldn�t go away. She had one now. She was also running late, yet another out of sync for her. As she walked toward the elevator she ran into Test, his wife, Jade and Albert.

�HI Alex.� Test called out. She looked up and despite her mood she smiled up at them. �Hi. How�s it going?� she asked.   �Where�s your third wheel?�   Jade rolled her eyes as Albert snorted, �She�s at the arena already. Probably in the make-up chair making Jan crazy.� �It takes a lot of time, effort and make-up to look that cheap.� Alex theorized innocently. �Cheap and sleazy is a hard look to capture.� Jade added. Test laughed, �She�s got the look down pat. She just likes to make sure it�s emphasized.�

�Oh hell!� Alex groaned. �What�s wrong?� Jade asked. �I forgot my laptop. Damn! Where is my head lately?� Alex fumed. �We can wait if you want.� Test offered. Alex mentally ran over the night�s card in her head quickly. �You guys are on early tonight, that�s okay. If you see Kane or 'Taker just let them know.� She asked.

They watched her walk back down the hall. �We should have waited.� Albert commented. �What were we supposed to do? Kidnap her?� Test asked. Test put his arm around Jade as they turned and got on the elevator.

~~*~~
Alex made her way back to her room grumbling at herself most of the way. She walked across the room to the table where she�d left her laptop snatching it up irritably.   As she reached the table the headache began to pound in her ears. So painfully, she had to grip the edge of the table to stay upright. She closed her eyes as the room began to spin. After a minute the pain subsided and reduced to a slightly throbbing headache. Alex stood still for a moment, �What the heck was that?� She wondered. She walked toward the door, her legs still a little shaky.

As Alex closed the door to her room she saw Gangrel, Edge and Christian. �Hi Alex.� Edge called as they all walked toward the elevator. Alex inwardly sighed; she desperately needed a minute to think straight and was having a hard time putting up a front. �Hi guys.� She offered softly. As the elevator opened up at the lobby Alex looked around for a moment, although she wasn�t sure for what or whom. �Come on. You can ride with us.� Gangrel offered steering her in the direction of their car. �Um yeah . . .okay.� she finally answered. Alex tried to sit quietly but kept getting drawn into the conversation.

�Do these glasses make my face look funny?� Christian asked. Alex glanced over and despite herself erupted in giggles. �Where do you two find those things?� she asked still giggling, �They�re hideous! They look like clown glasses.� Edge gave her one of his 100-watt smiles and put on the pair he�d been holding, and Alex continued her laughing fit. �What? Don�t they reek of awesomeness?� Edge asked, slipping into shtick. �Yuck!� Alex groaned. �Enough with the 80�s speak.� She requested, putting her hands over her ears. �I thought Sandra and Betty were supposed to be hiding those from you?� Alex asked, mentioning their wives. �They do.� Christian answered, �But we always manage to find them.� �Or we buy more.� Edge grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.

�You guys have gone to hell without me.� Gangrel offered from the driver seat. Alex laughed again at the indignant look on Christian�s face. �Have they figured out what they�re doing with you yet?� Alex asked Gangrel. �No, just kind of hanging around.� He answered heavily. �Well, I hope they figure it out soon.� Alex stated.   �I miss your entrance.� She informed him smiling.

Alex allowed herself to be drawn further into the conversation for the rest of the ride over to the arena. Despite herself she actually felt slightly better and the headache subsided slightly. She parted from the guys at the parking lot waving good-bye.

~~*~~
As Alex walked in the side entrance of the arena she bumped into Jim, literally. �Oooh!� Alex mumbled staggered back off-balance. Jim caught her before she fell over. He laughed lightly, �You okay?� he asked. �Yeah, sorry, my mind is somewhere else.� She offered. �I�ll see you a little later.�   She walked down the hall and Midian fell into step beside her. �Hey there!� �Hey! I haven�t seen you in a while.� She exclaimed, squeezing his arm. �How are you?� she asked. �Pretty good.� He answered. �You got some new tats.� Alex observed his arm. Midian beamed with pride. Alex knew getting �inked� was one of Midian�s favorites past times.

They stood in the hallway while he showed Alex his latest additions. She felt 'Taker approach before she saw him. �Hey.� she looked up at him, �Sorry, I�m late.� 'Taker only shook his head, �You okay?� he asked trying to read her; rubbing her head. Alex felt the familiar stab of pain at blocking him, but didn�t answer.

�Kanike get off okay?� she asked. 'Taker got a slight wistful look across his face. �Yeah.� he grumbled. �I couldn�t convince her to stay a little longer.�   Alex smiled and turned to Midian, �Great!� she replied wryly. �Now he�s going to be grouchy for the next couple of days.� She laughed and Midian joined her when 'Taker shot her a dirty look.

She glanced down the hall to see Paul walking in their direction. She rolled her eyes and continued her conversation with 'Taker and Midian. She noticed both took a step closer to her, and inwardly sighed. �Big brother never shuts off.� She mused. As they stood there discussing the show, Alex kept glancing over at Paul. She felt a distinct hostility, it surprised her slightly to realize it wasn�t coming from 'Taker it was coming from herself. She also felt Paul staring holes in the back of her head.

�The girls in the locker room?� she finally asked 'Taker. �Yeah.� he replied. �I�ll see you later.� 'Taker turned from Midian and followed her down to the dressing room. �You didn�t have to do that. I can find the dressing room by myself.� Alex informed him. �I know, but I just enjoying being around your unbridled enthusiasm and wit lately.� He replied dryly. Alex looked at him out of the corner of her eye. �If you�re trying to be subtle,� she began, �try again.� 'Taker stopped her just before they reached the door, �Little girl . . .look at me.� he requested. She reluctantly stopped and looked up at him, praying he couldn�t tell she still hadn�t slept. �Will you at least admit you�re not yourself?� he asked. �I�m FINE.� She replied, doing her best to sound convincing. �Are you still getting headaches?� 'Taker continued. �I should have never told you about those.� She muttered. �Maybe you shouldn�t have come back so soon.� He suggested, ignoring her remark. Alex laughed, �I really wish Kanike traveled with us full time. I hate when she leaves. Your �big brother� mode turns to HIGH. She�s been gone less than an hour and you�re already looking for someone to fuss over.� She informed him.   Alex avoided his attempt to take her arm and walked into the dressing room.

�There you are!� LaShana exclaimed as she entered.   She was sitting in the corner with Leach and RIP.   �We need your opinion. We�re trying to put together a party for Jeff�s birthday.� Alex walked over and gladly was pulled into the conversation. ~We�re going to talk about this later, little girl. 'Taker informed her. Alex heard him growl when she didn�t look up to acknowledge his statement.

~~*~~
After the show Alex became more and more anxious. She knew there was no way to avoid 'Taker. She also knew from past experience, it was physically impossible for her to lie to him. As they drove back to the hotel, Alex leaned against the window, surprised that she actually did feel sleepy. She felt 'Taker staring at her through the rear view mirror.

As Alex walked ahead of 'Taker and Kane down the hall, she felt herself getting jumpy. She didn�t want to talk; her mind was racing to think of a way out. She said good night to Kane and pretended not to notice the look exchanged between the two giants. �Why do I feel like a science experiment?� She thought wistfully.

'Taker and she walked in to their room silently. Alex took her stuff to the far side of the room, she was still trying to figure out how to avoid the conversation when 'Taker�s cell phone rang. Alex grinned inwardly when she realized it was Kanike on the phone. *Mental hug*, �thanks sis.� Alex thought to herself. Alex cloistered herself in the bathroom and more quickly than she imaged possible she heard 'Taker hang up. �Now what?� she asked herself. She opened the door tentatively to see 'Taker pacing the floor. As she came out she yawned loudly as she walked back to the bed.

�Not going to work.� 'Taker informed her solemnly. �What?� Alex asked, in what she hoped was her best innocent look. Which might have actually worked - had been anyone but 'Taker. He could look in her eyes and read her too easily. �You know that look doesn�t work on me.� he informed her firmly. �You�ve been avoiding Kane and I long enough. Don�t try to deny there�s something wrong with you.� 'Taker growled. �You and I are going to talk about this until you tell me what�s wrong.� He demanded.

Alex pushed the throbbing in her head to the side as she looked up to face him. �YOU should know I don�t respond well to being told what to do!� she yelled back. �Or ultimatums. I�m FINE.� She snapped. She walked out of his reach when he tried to take her arm. �Little girl.� 'Taker lowered his voice, Alex could feel what she interpreted as pity and it only made her angrier.

�You can�t ignore that you just got out of the hospital. You were unconscious for a period of time the doctors cannot explain. You�ve had headaches since you�ve come back . . .�   �Like you don�t work with injuries.� She countered. �The doctor said you were fine. But something else is wrong.� He continued, ignoring her statement.   �You�re distracted; you can�t concentrate. You�re not yourself.� 'Taker slowly advanced toward her. �Alex, tell me what�s wrong?� he asked, taking her hand. Alex tried to ignore the pleading in his voice. She hated that tone. She hated the way people were looking at her. She hated feeling the way she did. But she couldn�t explain to him why because she didn�t know why. Part of her responded without thinking.

�Let go of me!� she snapped, breaking his hold on her, pushing him away. �I�m getting sick of this.� She announced. �Stop treating me like an invalid.� She demanded. �So I have a headache - big freaking deal. I HATE when you get like this.� Walking across the room, she started to get in to bed indicating to him the conversation was over.

�Alex you�re not getting out of this.� 'Taker followed behind her taking her arm. When Alex whirled around she struck him hard across the face, �I said leave me alone!� she yelled.

It was like two parts of her were acting independent of each other. She heard a scream in her head when she saw his head snap back. In all her most heated arguments with him, real and playful, she had never even imagined what she�d just done. Her heart ached and she wanted desperately to turn back time.

The other part was smug and that confused her.

�If you don�t want me to treat you like a child . . .stop acting like a brat.� 'Taker growled. Alex felt his anger at being struck. However she felt his worry and concern for her outweigh it. Alex�s heart ached in her chest to feel his concern despite what she�d just done. The other part stabbed at his temper. �You ugly, egotistical, over-bearing, control freak!� she screamed. �Leave me alone!� �Alex . . .� 'Taker tried, confused at her outburst. �NO! STOP IT! I�m NOT some new talent for you to take under your wing; that�s so in awe of you they can�t speak. I�m NOT you�re girlfriend. And I�m NOT some project for you to fix!� she yelled. �I don�t bug you to death every time you slip into one of your �not fit for humans� moods. JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!�

Alex stood back, hands on her hips and glared at him. Very briefly she saw a look slide across his face only for it to be gone a moment later. Hurt. She�d seen hurt in his eyes, only to watch his face go blank.

�If that�s what you want. I think it would be best if we didn�t room together right now.� 'Taker said flatly. Alex simply continued to glare at him, crossing her arms. She could feel her heart beating in time with the pounding in her head. It was all she could do to stay standing. �That�s the best thing I�ve heard you say all night.� Alex stated. She watched silently as 'Taker grabbed his bag from the dresser and walked to the door. Her mind was screaming for her to say something. He paused for moment; Alex thought he�d turn around to say something. He simply took the handle, walked through and closed the door quietly.

Alex waited a few minutes to make sure he wasn�t coming back before she crumbled onto the floor. She held her head in her hands and closed her eyes against the tears that threatened. She felt the pounding in her head slow down. She opened her eyes to realize that her vision was blurry. Alex blinked trying to focus only for it to worsen. Alex shut her eyes tightly and leaned forward laying her head on the bed. As she did her stomach began to cramp and she became nauseous. After only a moment she ran to the bathroom and threw up for the third time that day. Afterwards, she sat on the floor in the bathroom her head resting against the wall.

�What�s the matter with me?� she asked herself. She barely felt the tears sliding down her face.

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