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Chyna sat stony-faced in the passenger's seat of the car, her tears now gone.
Chris had insisted on driving back to the hotel with her, the blond man deciding to cancel his car rental so they could share the ride.
He was worried about her, though it was perfectly normal to react the way she'd done, given the circumstances. The raven-haired woman sat eerily still, her blue eyes staring unseeingly through the windshield. Not a word had she spoken as they drove.
The blond man reflected on his past with the diva. He and Chyna had originally started out as enemies. They'd not only hated each other but had also battled back-and-forth for months over the Intercontinental championship. For awhile, they'd even been co- holders of the title, but Jericho had been filled with greed. He'd turned on the woman, leading them to a triple-threat battle for the championship at the Royal Rumble. He, of course, had won by pinning Hardcore Holly - thus becoming the sole holder of the IC strap.
Somehow, strangely enough on the following night on RAW, Jericho had had a change of heart where Chyna was concerned. Holly had invaded the divas' locker room to harass her - and that was when Chris had acted... He'd acted as her savior...
Then, later, during his match against 'Baldcore' Holly, the raven- haired woman had come out ringside for a closer look at the action. In fact, she'd even been instrumental in preventing his opponent from cheating as she grabbed away the steel chair the Mobile, Alabama native had snatched when the referee was knocked out.
Eventually, with the ref still down, Chyna had gone into the ring and paid dividends to Holly for kicking her on the arena floor by delivering a Pedigree. Jericho, seeing an opening, had gone for his Lionsault, earning him the three-count and the victory thereafter.
He'd been in shock when the beautiful muscular diva had soon after handed him the Intercontinental championship belt, raising his arm in victory afterward. For months on end, they'd done nothing but bicker and brawl. To think that his one act of kindness in coming to her rescue earlier that night would make all the difference in the world - and make everything change...
Later that night, long after the pay-per-view, Chyna had gone to his hotel room. Chris remembered everything as vividly as if it had been yesterday:
~"Hey... Sorry if I'm disturbing you," the raven-haired young woman said, her blue-gray eyes downcast.
"You're not..." he said, shocked to see her standing there. "Come on in."
She entered the room, a somewhat nervous look on her lovely face as she bit her lip, her hands clasped in front of her as she stood there. To him, she actually looked somewhat like a lost little girl - not at all like the Amazon-like Ninth Wonder of the World. But she looked so endearing at that moment, so sweet.
Chyna gestured with one hand as she spoke.
"I just... Thank you, Chris." A tiny smile graced her lips.
Y2J smiled himself. It was cute how it was difficult for her to say the words - although, in his mind, they weren't necessary. Her actions during his match had spoken volumes.
"No need to thank me," he said softly. "I'm just wondering..."
Her blue eyes widened just a bit as she met his, expectation on her fact.
"Why did you help me?"
She shrugged, cocking her head. One hand came up to brush away some raven locks from her face.
"It was the right thing to do, and..."
Chris didn't allow her the chance to finish the explanation as he came closer. Their eyes locked and held for a brief moment as he gently placed one hand on her cheek. He marveled at the softness of her skin for a beat until he placed his lips on hers, surprising the hell out of her with the kiss...
...The kiss that had further changed their lives.~
Chris put the car into park as they finally arrived at the hotel.
"Well, we're here..."
Chyna looked up at the sound of his voice - the first time she'd reacted or even so much as moved a muscle aside from the blinking of her eyes - since the start of their trip.
He was dismayed that she remained silent as they started for the
hotel. He had to do something to make things better, and fast.