"Looks like the good guys won," Taker said.
He and Kurt Angle were standing backstage, watching Kane and Jericho's tag match. He had noticed the change in his brother's attitude and hoped that it was for the better. Since he wasn't always a good judge of character, Taker was at first worried for his little brother. But things could've been worse, Taker thought. He could be hanging out with a member of the Alliance. That would definitely be a conflict of interest as far as the industry was concerned. And Chris wasn't a bad guy by Taker's standards. Although a bit of a jokester, he did make Kane laugh, which was no small feat. And after a few brotherly talks with him, he could tell that there might be a chance for more than friendship there. Although Kane never said the words exactly, Taker could tell what his baby brother was going through. Seeing that there was no way Kane would get involved with another Diva, seeing as he trusted those women less than any of the other Superstars, Taker could only smile when he saw Kane and Chris Jericho together. About damn time he was happy, he thought. About damn time.
"I say a post-match celebration is in order," Angle replied, breaking into Taker's thoughts.
"Sure. But I don't think we should get any dancing girls." He noticed Kurt's confused expression and smiled. "I'll tell you later."
The smiled was wiped from Taker's face when he saw Rhyno charge from behind the curtain and head for the duo. Because of the angle of the camera, Taker wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Chris push Kane out of the way and take the blow himself. Damn, he thought. The shit has really hit the fan.
"What the hell's going on," Kurt asked, frantic. "What's happened?"
"Don't know, but the EMTs are headin out there," he said as he headed out the door. "Let's go!"
It was hard for Kurt to match Taker's stride, but he managed. "I'll check on Chris and ride with him to the hospital. You go get Kane. Damn Rhyno! I never thought he'd go after Kane like that..."
Taker stopped mid step and turned on the Olympic champion. "What the hell do you mean? You know somethin I don't?"
"Well..." Kurt hesitated. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but to hell with it. You know all those secret admirer letters that Kane's been getting? Well, they're from Rhyno and he had me deliver them. I suddenly wish I hadn't. Actually... now that I think about it... I still have one to deliver. He said it would be the last one."
"Let me get this straight," Taker started, running his fingers through his hair. "Rhyno has the hots for Kane. And I can bet that Kane wants nothing to do with Rhyno. But why the hell would he try to knock the shit outta Kane?"
"Damned if I know. I just wanna make sure Chris is okay. And that Rhyno pays, that bastard."
"You go and check on Chris. Go with him to the hospital if it comes to that. I'll get Kane. And if Rhyno's lucky, he'll be hurt real bad. Or else he's gonna have two angry brothers to deal with." Taker stormed down the hall towards the entrance ramp.
After a grueling match that could've gone either way, Kane was more than glad that it had gone in their favor. Not just because it was a victory for Team WWF, but also because it meant that he and Chris worked well together in the ring. Maybe that would lead to more tag matches with him. As for out of the ring, he and Chris had really gotten close. They could even be referred to as "friends". Taker had hinted at him that they might be more than "just friends", but Kane hadn't really made up his mind about that. He wasn't sure how Chris felt and he wasn't about to ruin one of the closest friendships he's had in a long while. He had just given his one arm salute after getting to the top of the ramp when he felt a push on his back. Knocked off balance, he fell forward, landing on his hands and knees.
"What the hell was that?" he asked Chris, facing him as he sat on the metal floor. Chris looked like he was about to apologize, but in a blink he was gone. He crawled to the edge of the stage and peered over. The sight would've brought the big man down if he hadn't already been on his knees. There lay Chris, sprawled out on his back with Rhyno on top of him. Kane wasn't sure how Chris had gotten down there, but he was damn sure it wasn't pleasant. He pushed me, Kane thought as reality began to sink in. The son of a bitch saved my ass.
"You okay, bro?"
Kane looked up and saw Taker standing next to him. Placing his hands under Kane's armpits, Taker lifted his brother to his feet. It was no easy task since Kane had basically become limp and was like a lead weight. He took Kane by the arm and lead him backstage. "You okay?", he asked again after he sat him down.
"What?" Kane asked, dazed. "How?... Why?"
"As far as I can tell, Rhyno came charging from behind the curtain and you were the intended target. And Chris pushed you out of the way. Unfortunately, he wasn't quick or bright enough to move out of the way himself. He's being checked on now and Kurt's with him. And you and I are going to check on Rhyno."
"Why the hell would we do that? That bastard tried to knock my lights out."
"And wouldn't you like to get him back for it?"
"Yeah! Let's go!"
He got up and started down the hall with Taker on his heels. They were about to turn the corner when they heard voices. Recognizing one of them, Taker stopped Kane from rounding the corner. Holding a finger up his lips, they stood quietly and listened.
"Damn that Rhyno!" Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley whined. "He's messed up everything!"
"But I don't understand," Debra started. "I thought you hated Chris Jericho. A gore off the stage would be a good thing."
"I had other plans for Jericho. That gore had Kane's name written all over it. And once he was out of the way, I would put Y2J in a handicap match against the Dudley Boyz. A handicap tables match! That'll teach him to treat me like that."
"But Chris calling you all those names isn't anything new. You'd think you'd be used to it by now."
"I'm not talking about him!" Stephanie yelled. "I mean Kane. The other week I made him an offer that I thought he couldn't refuse."
"You asked him to join the Alliance?"
"Well... no... But.. You've seen him! The man is huge! You just know the man has to be hung right."
"You wanted to sleep with him?!" Debra asked, incredulous.
"Oh come off it! Hunter's on the injured list ... and... I'm a woman.. I've got needs.. and I'm sure that Kane can more than satisfy. But can you believe he had the gall to turn me down? Said I was a walking venereal disease! You think I would let him talk to me like that? Ohh no... he was gonna pay."
"Well, I think he was disinterested for another reason..."
"Like what?"
"Well.. he and Chris.. you've seen them around each other..."
"Yeah right! Like he'd turn me down for another man! Come on! I'm gonna give Rhyno a piece of my mind.. if he's regained consciousness."
After the two women had walked away, Kane and Taker finally made their way around the corner. "Damn," Taker started. "I don't know what's worse... That you got propositioned by the Queen of the Sluts, or they way she handles rejection!"
"I can't believe that crazy bitch pulled this stunt! Over a booty call, no less!"
"Well, you're gonna get your match against Rhyno and rip his ass off!"
"Yes!"
"And we're gonna get back at Stephanie!"
"Yes!"
"And you're gonna tell Chris how you feel!"
"No!"
"Okay, okay... one step at a time. Let's check on Chris first."