Rating: M
Summary: Stephanie disappears after that disastrous 11 Feb 02 RAW and returns ten months later...and she�s not alone.
Type of fic: Story
Author�s notes: Okay, this idea ultimately came from my father when he basically said to me (regarding the events at the end of 11 February 2002 RAW), �They should put Steph out to pasture for nine months, and bring her back with Hunter�s baby�. Well, that, and my muses just wanted some Hunter-torture. Italicised paragraphs are flashbacks. (They might not show up in the posts, so I�ll let you guys know when it�s a flashback part, or if there�s a flashback part.)
***
Part Eleven
Transcript:
RAW � 30 December 2002
�
Return from commercials. Camera is on Jim Ross and Jerry �the King� Lawler.
Jim Ross
The year 2002 is certainly ending with a bit of a bang, King. Reports are that there were two marriages on the weekend.
Jerry �the King� Lawler
And I wasn�t invited to either one of them!
Jim Ross
Well, from what I hear, they were very private weddings, with only close friends and family invited. However, I have been given permission to announce who these couples were: Stephanie McMahon and Shawn Michaels got married on Saturday, and on the very next day, Torrie Wilson and Tajiri also tied the knot. The couples are now on their honeymoons and won�t be back until next week.
Jerry �the King� Lawler
I can�t believe Torrie would marry Tajiri! I mean, he speaks no English and she speaks no Japanese! Where�s the communication, JR?
Jim Ross
You might be surprised to realise that Tajiri speaks fluent English, King, and Torrie has been learning Japanese for the past couple of years. Besides, I�m certain that in love, language is no barrier.
Jerry �the King� Lawler
You�d know about that, wouldn�t you, JR? You and your wife barely speak nowadays!
Jim Ross
My wife and I are doing just fine, thank you very much. How about you and your many ex-wives, King? How many are there now?
Jerry �the King� Lawler
I�d answer you, JR, but first I have to read these announcements. RAW is brought to you by�
�
*
Transcript:
RAW � 06 January 2003
�
On screen, Stephanie McMahon (Michaels - ?) and Edge are walking down a hallway.
Edge
Man, you should have seen him this past week. He�s like this huge boiling cauldron of anger. He was the Anger King of Angerdom.
Stephanie M
So he wasn�t very happy at all?
Edge
Understatement, Steph. He�s obsessed with finding out the truth about Cassie�s paternity.
Stephanie M
Doesn�t he know yet?
Edge
I think he�s in denial.
Stephanie M and Edge suddenly stop and stare at someone. Camera pans left to reveal Triple H.
Triple H
Welcome back, Stephanie.
Stephanie M
What do you want, Hunter?
Triple H
We need to talk.
Edge takes a step forward. The two men stare at each other.
Triple H
Alone.
Commercial.
�
*
Stephanie crossed her arms across her chest and looked hard at the man she had thought she had loved. �What is it, Hunter?�
�Cassidy is�is�mine?�
There was something about the tone of his voice that unnerved her, something that made her suddenly regret her decision to agree to talk to him alone.
�What do you think?�
Hunter�s eyes glittered with anger. �Why the hell didn�t you tell me?�
�Do you not remember your last words to me, Hunter? You demanded that I stay as far away from you as possible, or else you were going to kill me. Do you remember that?�
Out of the corner of her eye, Stephanie noticed his hands clenching into fists. She felt her heart begin to pound.
�You should have told me that I had a daughter! You should have told me that I was a father!�
�Would you have believed me?�
Hunter glared furiously at her, saying nothing and confirming her thoughts.
�There is nothing more to say. Cassidy may be biologically your daughter, but you will never be her father,� she told him defiantly, �and don�t even dare to sue for custody.�
�I know my rights, Stephanie. I have every right to be a part of my own daughter�s life!�
�And do what, Hunter? Choke her when she does something that upsets you?�
Hunter moved suddenly, striding forward and grabbing her painfully by the shoulders. �She�s my daughter as well, you goddamned whore! She�s my daughter! Not Shawn�s! My daughter!�
�Get your hands off me, Hunter,� Stephanie whispered, hoping the tremble in her voice didn�t reveal too much of her fear.
�I will be a part of my daughter�s life, Stephanie. She was meant to mine. We were supposed to be a family!�
�Get your hands off me,� she repeated loudly.
�I will fight you on this, Stephanie,� he said, shoving her away from him.
Stephanie stumbled back, but managed to catch her balance. She stared back at him, lifting her chin. �I�m not afraid of you, Hunter.�
As she walked away from him, a pang of guilt hit her. She knew that it had been her who had changed him into the crazy man that he now was. Had it not been for her devastating lie, Hunter would have probably turned out okay. However, a part of her did realise that he had always had a short fuse, and the worst temper. Hunter was a very angry man.
end part eleven.
