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Moments later, Stephanie McMahon stormed into her father's office. She was annoyed to see that Chris Irvine was still in the room with him. Glaring from him to Vince, she wondered what was going on between the two of them. Something shady, no doubt, and it left a foul taste in her mouth.
Even before hearing Amy's horrid tale of being stalked and harassed by the man, Steph had never liked Chris. Irvine gave her the creeps, despite his humorous facade. She had always felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze, as she felt he always scrutinized her too much. Whenever his unwavering, intense eyes were on her, she felt as if she were under a microscope - or worse yet, totally naked and vulnerable.
Ignoring Irvine, Stephanie turned to face her father. "I want to speak to you now - privately," she emphasized.
"Very well," Vince said, nodding, although he didn't like the tone in his daughter's voice, nor the look in her eye. When she was like this, she reminded him too much of her mother. Turning to Irvine briefly, he said, "Excuse us, Chris."
Irvine smiled, nodded and turned from Vince to ogle Stephanie, a smug expression on his face. He looked her up and down obscenely as she glared back at him in disgust. After a moment, he stepped out.
Stephanie frowned as she stared after him, the feeling she suddenly needed a shower nearly overwhelming her. She felt dirty after being leered at by Chris - which was not even close to the sickening feeling she had experienced after he'd forced a kiss on her at a couple of past pay-per-views. She suddenly realized, with a sinking sensation, that if her father would allow the man to violate her that way, why would he hesitate to allow Amy Dumas to suffer even worse?
"What the hell are you thinking, Daddy?!" she cried, gesturing wildly with both arms. "Tell me you didn't just agree to an angle involving Amy Dumas and that...that...lech!"
Vince stared at his daughter, noting the fierce glint in her blue eyes, the fair skin of her face reddening in anger. He'd seen her this angry before, but such rage had never been directed at him.
"What the hell are you thinking?!" Steph yelled again when he didn't reply. "How can you endanger an employee like that?! How can you jeopardize-"
"Shut up, Stephanie!" McMahon shouted, interrupting his younger child's rant, pointing a rude finger at her. "Listen to me right now, Stephanie Marie McMahon..." As he spoke, her expression went from disbelief to even more fierce anger. "...You are head writer here, and I expect you to do your job - and do it well. You will start - effective immediately - on a storyline involving those three - Jericho, Lita and Edge - and the two men will be fighting over Lita."
Stephanie crossed her arms under her breasts and stared at him defiantly. "I'll do nothing of the sort, Daddy...not only is that idea stupid and archaic, it's also crazy! Daddy - Amy just told me the horror story of Chris stalking her for months and you expect me to write a storyline like this for TV? No way!"
"If you don't do your job," Vince threatened, his eyes widening in anger as he stared at her, "you'll be out of a job! I don't care if you are my little girl! You work for me...don't ever forget that."
Stephanie glared at him, not believing her ears. Flinching slightly, she said, "You can't be serious..."
"Oh, but I have never been more serious, Steph."
There was a silent war between father and daughter for a moment before Stephanie spoke again. "Just remember one thing, Vincent K. McMahon..." she hissed, moving closer and pointing at him, practically spitting out his name, "...I am the writer around here...Without me, you've got nothing. Whatever I write is what goes on television - and you will not change any of it. And don't you ever forget it." She glared into her father's shocked eyes for another moment before turning and exiting his office.
*
Later that night, after Adam's match, which had still had to take place despite everything that had occurred, Adam and Amy went back to their hotel. Jay had told Adam that the Hardys, Trish, Drew and himself had wanted to hang out, but Adam had declined the offer he extended to him and Amy. He'd briefly told Jay what had happened, and Jay too had become enraged. Before leaving the arena, he'd suggested to Adam that he and Amy tell all their friends about the madness going on. "We can all protest this so-called 'idea'," he'd said.
Now, back in their hotel room, Amy sat morosely, silent as she gazed blankly at the evening news on the TV. Adam came in from the bathroom to sit beside her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her against him.
Neither spoke for long moments, both reflecting on the unbelievable events of earlier that evening. Finally, Adam broke the silence between them.
"Don't worry, Ames...I swear, I won't let him lay a finger on you." He smoothed away some strands of her red hair and kissed her tenderly on the forehead.
She clung to him as she tipped her head to gaze up into his eyes. "I'm scared, Adam...I'm so damn scared."
"I know, baby...I know..." He rubbed the pad of his thumb up and down over her bare arm. "...and Stephanie won't let us down, either. She seemed pretty pissed about the whole sordid situation, too. I think we can trust her. She won't buy into any of her father's bullshit."
Amy closed her eyes tightly as she pressed her face against Adam's bare chest. She was so afraid, and so worn out by all of the events of the past few months - with the exception of getting closer to this beautiful, kind, protective man. She felt so overwhelmed and overburdened that her need to cry yet again was almost unbearable. However, she refused to give in to any more tears tonight and instead focused all her energy on Adam.
She lifted her head, sitting up a bit while still in his arms. They gazed silently into one another's eyes for a moment, and Adam raised one hand to her cheek, gently stroking the soft skin.
Amy's breath caught in her throat at the intensity of emotion between them. Never before had she been able to gaze into someone's eyes like this without speaking a word. A silent communication telegraphed between them, then Amy moved in closer and kissed him ardently.
Adam kissed her back passionately, his hand moving from her cheek to the back of her head, his fingers burrowing into her soft mass of auburn. God, how he loved this woman. He moaned softly as their lips separated for quick seconds, only to meet again even more fervently.
After awhile, Amy found herself on her back, Adam above her, and their kisses became more demanding. Tongues battled for dominance, hands roamed bodies, and Amy gasped. She held Adam's face with both hands, pulling slightly back for a moment to gaze up into his eyes. "Adam..." she said breathlessly, "...make me forget about everything but us...make love to me."
Adam was ready, willing, able and happy to oblige. He held her around the waist and rolled over on the bed so that she was the one on top. Clothing seemed to melt away, hearts pounded their passion, and they made love. Amy was able to feel truly happy for the first time that night - in Adam's arms, and with him inside of her. And this time, it was more intense for both of them than the other instances had been.
*
The following week...
Amy shuddered, part in revulsion and part in fright, as Chris Irvine grabbed her from behind around the waist. She thrashed around in his grasp, kicking her legs furiously, her hands clenching into fists that seemed totally ineffective against his strong wrists and foreams.
She was at ringside for a match between Jericho - the obsessive Irvine - and Edge - her Adam - on SmackDown. Adam was currently lying facedown on the canvas, in pain after being put in the Walls of Jericho. When he'd made it to the ropes, the referee had forced Chris to break the hold. That was when he'd run out to torment Amy.
This was only the beginning, as Irvine had plainly stated in a "promo" just five days earlier, when this feud had gotten its official "start."
She began to scream when the bastard suddenly flung her over his right shoulder and tried to escape up the ramp. If he kidnapped her, there would be no telling what he would do - and it would no longer be in the "confines" of the so-called "storyline." Her friend Stephanie McMahon could do nothing to help her then.
Irvine suddenly dropped Amy, who fell on her backside on the ramp. Adam had gotten his bearings and sprinted over to rescue her. She got to her feet as he pounded on the shorter man.
"You okay, babe?" he asked, as he held Chris at arm's length. She nodded, then Adam punched him once more. Afterward, she made her move. Even though the mere thought of this man sickened her, after all he'd done to her, Amy pulled her arm back and slapped him across the face with her palm, mustering as much force as possible. His head being rocked hard to the side gave her a feeling of extreme satisfaction. And while Adam held Irvine's arms behind his back, she did it again, even harder. She even spat in his face in all of her fury. Michael Cole and Tazz even commented on how angry she looked.
What the fans didn't realize was that all of this was very real. She swallowed back some bitter bile as that thought flitted through her head. The nerve of Vince McMahon making this into an angle! She fantasized about slapping him in his smug, ugly face just as hard as she'd done to Chris.
True to her word, Stephanie McMahon had written the scenes that were to take place between the three of them. She'd told Amy and Adam about the fight she'd had with her father, and she'd promised both of them that she'd never write anything physical to happen between Amy and Chris. In fact, each time she wrote stuff concerning them, she showed it to Amy and Adam in advance. Of course, there were times Irvine violated Stephanie's writing by "improvising," like he'd done moments ago when he grabbed Amy.
*
Amy was shaking when she and Adam got back to their locker room. Adam noticed immediately and wrapped his arms around her, rocking her slightly.
"Oh, baby..." he said softly. "...I'm so sorry I couldn't talk Vince out of this madness." He tipped her head up with a hand gently hooked under her chin and gazed down into her terror-filled hazel eyes.
She exhaled loudly, her eyes glued to his. Her shaking subsided, and she was feeling calmer all of a sudden. Looking up into Adam's face had that effect on her.
"Oh, babe, I know...it...it's not your fault," she replied.
Adam hugged her tightly, and she held him back as if for dear life. Amy didn't see how his green eyes and handsome features hardened in rage as they focused on nothing while he envisioned Chris Irvine.
*
"Uh huh...okay...yeah...I really think that would be the best thing, Shane," Stephanie McMahon said into her cell phone as she spoke with her brother. He was back home in Stamford, Connecticut, conducting business behind the scenes, as he had since the whole WCW/ECW Invasion storyline. Steph knew he actually preferred it that way.
"Yeah, well, I'm going to be talking to Mom about it ASAP," she continued after listening to Shane's response. "Right...I'm glad you're on my side, Shane...He can't get away with all this...Look at what he's done - and Amy wouldn't be the first woman to fall victim to his disgusting behavior..."
Stephanie twirled a lock of her dark hair with one forefinger as she listened to Shane's next batch of words.
"You're absolutely right...he used Trish...and let's not forget about Stacy Keibler, either. Okay, Shane...I'll speak to you then...Bye."
Flipping her Motorola Star Tac to a close, Steph departed the room that was serving as her office for the night and strode down the hallway. She nodded a brief hello to a couple of wrestlers who were returning from their match as she turned a corner. She stopped at a closed locker room door that she also knew was locked from the inside and knocked.
After a moment, the door was opened by Adam Copeland, who ushered her inside quickly but quietly.
*
"I promised you two I wasn't going to let him get away with this, and I am keeping my promise," Stephanie stated emphatically as she looked seriously from Amy to Adam and back again.
"But he's been 'improvising' in almost all of the storylines," Adam nearly spat angrily. He wasn't mad at Steph but rather at the individual terrorizing his girlfriend, as well as Vince McMahon, who was allowing the madness to continue, and on-screen at that. "I won't be held responsible for what I do to him if he pushes me," he continued. It was a promise, not a threat.
Amy gazed up at him, her heart pounding harder and faster at his tone of voice and the expression on his face. Part of her wanted to calm Adam down, but the other part of her wanted to encourage him to continue acting so protective of her, be her "knight in shining armor."
"Whoa...Adam, calm down," Steph said, interrupting the redhead's thoughts. She held her hands up toward him in a placating gesture.
Stephanie knew all about Chris Irvine's improvisions to the storylines she was being forced to write - she kept herself glued to a TV monitor in the back every time they were aired - and she didn't like or appreciate it one bit. Over the past few weeks, she had thought really long and hard about what actions she would take as a result - the plan she had only moments previously spoken about with Shane - and she'd come to the conclusion that she had no other choice but to see them through. It was not only for Amy's sake that she had to do this - but also for Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, her mother, even herself - for all women who were, or had ever been, a part of the WWF.
"Sit down, Adam," she said, gesturing to the space on the black leather love seat beside Amy as she seated herself on a nearby chair. "I want to tell you and Amy exactly what I plan to do..."
*
Twenty minutes later, Adam and Amy both eyed Stephanie McMahon with disbelief after listening to her elaborate plan. But they also felt a strong measure of respect toward the young woman as well. She was going to be risking an awful lot in carrying out what she had proposed.
"All I ask is that you both please keep this confidential for now...be discreet, and I'm willing to bet it all works out the right way in the end."
"You have nothing to worry about, Stephanie," Adam said honestly, his emerald eyes serious as he looked her directly in the eye and then glanced at Amy.
Amy nodded and concurred. "Of course we'll keep it confidential, Steph. My God, I...I can't believe you're going to do all of that." She stood up to embrace the brunette, and Stephanie hugged her back. The two women had become such good friends since Steph had learned of Amy's ordeal with Chris.
Amy pulled back to look up into Steph's face. "I wish you the best of luck in this," she said calmly. "I hope it all ends up the way you want - the way we want."
"Oh, but it will," Stephanie said, her voice strong and full of conviction. "I have no doubts about it." A slow but confident smile spread across her pretty face.
Amy smiled at her friend, but she couldn't help feeling a bit of sorrow in her heart. What if Steph was wrong?
"I have to go call my mother now...I'm hoping to meet with her about this as soon as possible. I'll see you guys later, okay?"
"Okay...and again, good luck," Amy replied. She and Adam exchanged goodbyes with Stephanie and watched her exit the room. Only then did Amy turn to face Adam again, expectantly. He met her eyes hopefully. After a moment of silent communication between them, he spoke.
"Do you think her plan is going to work?"
"I don't know," Amy admitted with a sigh. "I certainly hope so." Their entire futures could depend on Stephanie's big plan.
*
One month later...
"Are you sure you want to do this? Think about everything you'll have to endure..."
"I'm absolutely sure, Mom," Stephanie said determinedly, her blue eyes locked on Linda McMahon's and never wavering. "And I have thought everything through and realize the risks that go along with it."
"Alright, Stephanie," the elder of the two women said. "I am in full support of you in your undertaking. I'm glad to see that I have succeeded in bringing you up to be the fair, level-headed and compassionate person you are. I'm proud of you."
Stephanie's face brightened into a soft smile. She felt as though she hadn't had anything to smile about since the night of Amy's confession and felt grateful toward Linda.
"Thank you, Mom...That means a lot to me." She moved slightly over on the couch to exchange a warm hug with her mother and suddenly felt choked up. Her eyes welled up with tears that she didn't allow to fall.
"Just remember that I'm here for you, honey," Linda said as she smoothed some strands of long brown hair away from her daughter's face. "No matter what, I am on your side."
"I know," Steph said. "And thank you again. I certainly have my work cut out for me. I haven't even spoken to a lawyer yet."
"Then the sooner the better..."
*
Two Weeks Later...
The WWE was in Las Vegas for the week, and despite all the glitz and glamor and fun of the magical city, Amy was in no mood to enjoy it. As time went on, she was becoming more and more a recluse, more and more willing and even insistent on staying inside rather than going out and risking a chance encounter with Chris Irvine.
She hated Chris, but hated herself more for this - because before he'd begun terrorizing her, she had gone many places and done many things. Nothing had ever stopped her from doing what she wanted and fully enjoying life. She hadn't allowed anything or anyone to deny her that right. But here she was letting him win - she was like a scared rabbit. Even with Adam always by her side, she was afraid of what Chris might do. He had already proven on multiple occasions to be capable of maniacal acts. Amy thought that if he could tail her in his rental truck and later watch her and Adam training - and later still, doing more, what was to say he wouldn't just jump out of nowhere and grab her? And though Irvine had never actually gone so far as to go after her or Adam with a weapon, she could still envision such a thing happening. The man was a master manipulator and even had Mr. McMahon believing him incapable of his madness.
Amy ran a hand through her long auburn locks, her other hand holding up a corner of the drapery as she peered out the window. My God, but it looked so alive out there. She'd always enjoyed Vegas, and she felt lousy that she was so immobilized by fear that she wouldn't allow herself the luxury of enjoying it yet again.
She gave a slight start as she felt a pair of arms encircle her waist from behind but settled back against the form that held her when she realized it was Adam. She sighed wistfully as he moved to rub his cheek against hers.
"You okay, babe?"
Amy gently disentangled herself from his embrace to turn around to face him, and Adam noticed her hazel eyes were nearly full of anguish as she gazed at him. Just as quickly, her expression lightened somewhat as she gave him a tiny smile.
"I'm sorry, Adam...I just feel...rotten. I mean, I want to go out there and have some fun. I want to do something other than hide out here in this hotel room."
"Then you will," he replied as he reached out for one of her hands. "We'll go out and enjoy the city - maybe gamble a little. Come on, we'll take ten, fifteen minutes to get ready, and then we'll go out."
"No!" Amy cried sharply. She winced, feeling ashamed of herself for being reduced to a person so weak and helpless. "Adam...I'm scared."
Adam gazed down at her with concern, but with even more tenderness. "Amy...honey, I know you're scared. And it's okay to be scared. But baby, I'll be right by your side. I won't let anything happen to you. I love you." He put his arms around her and kissed her softly.
Amy kissed him back, her hands moving up and tangling into his soft golden hair. Afterward, she gazed up into his green-bronze eyes and smiled. "I love you, too." She paused for a beat, then said, "Okay...I'll go out with you. I want to go out."
Adam's handsome face broke into a broad grin. "Great...We'll make a whole night of it."
*
Hours later, the following morning, Amy lay on her back asleep in her hotel bed, her eyes fluttering quickly as she dreamt. She groaned softly in her sleep, the distinct sensation of lips and tongue on her skin.
She wakened slowly, reluctant to open her eyes despite the dark grayness of the room. She realized that the tops of her breasts, exposed in the lacy black and pink teddy she'd worn to bed, were being kissed and nipped at. Slowly, she opened her eyes and glimpsed the blond head that was partway down her body.
"Ouch!" She cried out in slight pain as her breast was bitten a little harder than she liked. She continued to stare at the blond hair, sitting up only a fraction of an inch. As her eyes adjusted to the gray light in the room, she suddenly gasped and tried to move away, but a strong hand gripped her upper arm, preventing her escape.
Amy began to visibly shake as she met the clear blue eyes of Chris Irvine. The man's facial expression transformed to a satisfied smirk as he glared back at her and witnessed her fright. "Hello, Amy..."
"What...what the hell are you doing here? How did you get in? Where's Adam?!" To Amy's surprise, she hadn't lost her voice.
"Loverboy stepped out a few minutes ago...so I decided to take advantage of his absence."
"H-how did you get in here???!" Amy stuttered. Her eyes shifted back and forth around the room, searching for something she could use as a weapon with which to attack him. She had to get out of this room, had to get away from this madman. Surely, he intended to rape her...
"Simple, my dear...I just told the idiot down at the front desk that I'd locked myself out of my room, and I gave your room number. He held up a card key with his left hand, shaking it at her a little.
Amy swallowed hard. She had to get her bearings and do something. She couldn't let him do whatever it was he planned to do to her.
"Lay back, Amy," Chris ordered. "Just enjoy what I'm doing." He turned his attention back to her breasts and began lowering his head.
"I don't think my husband would appreciate this, Chris..."
Irvine lifted his head and stared at her. "What did you say?"
Amy met his eyes squarely, forcing herself to stop shaking and forcing the strength back into her wavering voice. "My husband...Adam." She twisted her left arm out of the blond man's grip and held up her hand, displaying the diamond ring and engraved gold wedding band on her finger.
"Your husband???"
"Y-yes," she replied, terrified. "Adam and I got married last night..."