Rating: PG (for now)
Summary: Um...just something that doesn�t make too much sense. This is what I get for having watched Enrique�s Hero video clip one too many times!
Type of fic: Story
***
the beginning
Stephanie McMahon sighed, placing down the photo of her and her brother back on the table. It had been over eight years since Shane had walked out of the family business, but she still missed him greatly. She had seen him only once in those eight years.
Shane had sneaked into the house and had been in the process of �smuggling� her out when they had been caught by Taker and Kane, two of their father�s most loyal men. Since then, Stephanie had been under constant surveillance. She had more security around her than the President�s children.
Suddenly, Stephanie had to get out. Out of the room, out of the house. Out of the damned estate and away from everything. She stood and walked across the room, ready to just spring out and away. But she knew she couldn�t, so she calmly opened the door. On each side a man stood to attention. She looked from one to the other. Storm and Christian.
�Hey, Steph!� Christian greeted enthusiastically.
Stephanie pasted a bright smile on her face. �Hi, Christian! Hi, Stormy! My two favourite chumps!�
Storm just frowned, but Christian�s grin widened. �Thanks! So, where are you going?�
�To the little ladies room. Mine still hasn�t been fixed, so if you�ll excuse me�� However, Storm followed her as she walked past them. She raised an eyebrow. �Going to hold my hand when I go? Those bathroom dust bunnies are truly terrifying, aren�t they?�
�Come on, Lance. She�s just going to the toilet,� Christian said.
Storm stared hard at her, but Stephanie kept the look of innocence on her face. Something she had perfected years ago. �I�ll be right back.�
After some hesitation, Storm finally took a couple of steps back. �Fine.�
With a smile, Stephanie headed for the stairs and started down.
�Hey!� That had to be Storm.
She slowly turned back to them. �The upstairs one isn�t working yet either. I�m going to use the one downstairs.�
Storm took a few steps towards her, and even Christian started to lose his large grin. �Then we�re coming with you.�
�I think my father has enough flunkies downstairs to look out for me, Stormy. I�ll be fine, really.� Stephanie was beginning to lose the little self-control that she had, and she flashed them another bright smile. �I don�t want you guys getting into trouble, so I won�t do anything stupid, I promise.�
Storm and Christian looked at each other for a moment before turning back to her. Storm started towards her. �Then you won�t care if we go downstairs with you.�
Stephanie shook her head, frustrated, but she continued down. Storm and Christian were right behind her. At the bottom of the steps she was met with two more of her father�s cronies, Regal and Angle. Regal ignored her, but Angle smiled brightly at her.
She walked right past them, but quickly whirled around. She kicked Angle in the groin while shoving Regal towards the stairs, and into Storm and Christian. With her heart thudding, Stephanie ran towards the front door. She heard the four men yelling and cursing as she threw open the front door. With hurried steadiness she pulled out her keys and locked the door from the outside. Heart racing and adrenaline rushing, she sprinted towards her car, unlocking it with the sensor keys. She was going to make it! She was going to be free!
Stephanie climbed into the car and started the engine. However, before she could even get the car into gear, a very familiar black Mercedes parked right in front of her.
She swore, hitting her steering wheel with both hands. Unfortunately she couldn�t back out as two other cars blocked her way. She wanted to cry, and she gripped the wheels tightly to get herself under control again. It was no use screaming and ranting.
Someone knocked on her window. She lifted her head and glared at him. Hunter. Who else would it be?
�Steph?�
Stephanie turned off the engine and slowly got out of the car. �Good timing, Hunter.�
He grinned at her. �I thought so. Going somewhere?�
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the four men from inside of the mansion now standing outside and glaring at her. Angle was still grimacing. Stephanie blew them a kiss before turning back to Hunter.
�Yeah, I thought I�d go catch the latest movie at the mall,� she replied casually, having to use all of her willpower to keep her emotions down.
Hunter looked behind him, and laughed. �Steph, I�m truly impressed.�
�Well, I learnt from the worst,� she said, smiling sweetly.
Hunter lost his smile as he turned back to her. �You are really something,� he said, shaking his head. There was a hint of admiration in his voice. �Come on, let�s go.�
As she followed Hunter in frustration, a stranger standing on the passenger side of the Mercedes captured her eye. Blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, smart navy suit, and the most intense looking eyes she had ever seen. Intense blue eyes that were watching her every move.
Stephanie stopped and stared right back at him, feeling suddenly naked under his gaze. It felt like he could see right through her and know her most private desires. Something shifted inside of her, and her breath caught in her throat.
�Ms McMahon,� the stranger greeted politely. He spoke with the tone of someone who knew her intimately.
But she was certain she had never seen him before, and she wondered who he was and how he could speak to her in such a familiar manner. She raised her head and tried to keep her voice neutral. �And you are?�
�Steph, this is Chris Jericho,� Hunter answered, coming up behind her. �The new guy.�
end beginning.
