*It was Saturday afternoon, heading into very early evening. On the day of the annual EBWF Slammies, it wasn't uncommon for so much mingling to occur...it was one of the few times in the year when the wrestlers exchanged words and not punches. Shawn had spoken to a lot of people (he simply avoided the nWo), but one person was conspicuous by her absence. Shawn knew she had to be around though, and eventually he found her by accident. She was at the hotel, sitting in the bar...alone. She hadn't seen him yet, so he just watched her for a moment before deciding to walk over. He took a seat next to her and put his hand on her shoulder*
Shawn Michaels: Hey you.
Chyna: Hey.
Shawn Michaels: Where's the other half?
Chyna: I think he went somewhere with Jeff. The text just said... I'm Safe, be back soon.
Shawn Michaels: This is probably redundant by now...but how are you?
Chyna: Ready to get the weekend over with.
Shawn Michaels: I won't hold it against you if you wanna head home.
Chyna: Nah, I was advertised, and Sean couldn't very well go with me.
Shawn Michaels: You two ok?
Chyna: Better than okay. He puts up a good front, but he's a lot more upset about me getting hurt than him leaving the nWo.
Shawn Michaels: Did you get my package?
Chyna: Yeah, we got it.
Shawn Michaels: I just wanted you to know I was doing something about it.
Chyna: Yeah, thanks. *She shook her head.* I'm gonna go on up to bed Shawn. I don't much feel like going to the Slammy show.
Shawn Michaels: I understand...do you want me to walk you?
Chyna: You can if you want. Are there a lot of people outside?
Shawn Michaels: A fair few. Don't worry...we can avoid them.
Chyna: I don't mind either way. *She shook her head.* Sean's not going to let me sulk when he gets back.
Shawn Michaels: Well you do look prettier when you smile.
Chyna: How's Rebecca?
Shawn Michaels: She's great.
Chyna: Good. *She stood up, and pulled a little money out of her purse leaving a tip. He noticed nothing but water in her glass and figured she had just had a late lunch.* Shall we?
Shawn Michaels: Yeah...but once we get up there I'm not gonna play the small talk game any more.
Chyna: I figured that Dad.
Shawn Michaels: It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
*They got into the elvator in silence and then they got to the room she shared with Sean. They went in together and Joanie sat down on the couch and slipped off her sandals.*
Chyna: I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm sorry.
Shawn Michaels: It's okay...I'm not sexactly known for my ability to control my temper either.
Chyna: *She raised an eyebrow.* I'll try to decipher that code. *She laughed*
Shawn Michaels: Well at least you're smiling now. *he took a seat next to her* So do you wanna talk about that e-mail?
Chyna: What about it?
Shawn Michaels: You obviously have a lot on your mind... I thought you should know you have someone to listen, if you need to talk.
Chyna: I thought I summed it up pretty well.
Shawn Michaels: But summaries are lame.
Chyna: One, I'm worried about Sean. Two, I'm worried about Hunter. Three, I'm uncertain about my future.
Shawn Michaels: Well...I'm glad someone else has noticed the second one.
Chyna: It's so funny... AGAIN... he's got exactly what I want.... and he's going to piss all over it.
Shawn Michaels: Yeah, well the last time I tried to run an intervention the conversation ended with me joining the nWo...so I'm staying out of it this time.
Chyna: They have a baby Shawn. A little girl... who's barely going to know her father if he continues down the road he's on.
Shawn Michaels: I'll shoot him in the face if he's enough of an idiot to let that happen. But you know how he is.
Chyna: I talked to Stephanie the other day, and we actually agreed on something...
Shawn Michaels: Sounds like a modern miracle...what did you agree on?
Chyna: We think Megan's as looney as her father.
Shawn Michaels: If you happen to see him...ask him why she isn't here. Every time I ask about her recently he just gives some generic reply, and gets that look. You know the one where it's obvious he's being less than honest.
Chyna: Well... she's still been at work, but she won't speak to me. I think she hates me because she thinks I know her husband better than she does.
Shawn Michaels: Then I guess she hates both of us.
Chyna: You know him better than anyone.
Shawn Michaels: Which is why he'll talk to me eventually. But I wanted to talk about you... what is it in the future that worries you?
Chyna: I see the future and it doesn't look much different than right now.
Shawn Michaels: Have you asked Sean what he sees in the future?
Chyna: He just... wants his kids back. One day at a time...
Shawn Michaels: Is he clean?
Chyna: Shawn, I don't know! Okay... I don't know! He's going through a lot right now.
Shawn Michaels: It wasn't a judgement...just a question.
Chyna: Well the answer is that I don't know.
Shawn Michaels: If you think you both have too much going on to have that conversation, then wait...just don't wait too long.
Chyna: We live in the same house, but with our schedules we rarely even see each other... and when we are together we've ummm... got better things to do. *She smiled to herself.* You're right though... as usual. I'll... be sure and talk to him.
Shawn Michaels: You'll feel better afterwards. And I'm not gonna lie...I kinda miss that smile of yours.
Chyna: Tonight's going to be a good night for DX. I can feel it.
Shawn Michaels: I'm really glad to have you back. We're pretty much hopeless without you anyways, right?
Chyna: Sounds like something I might have said.
Shawn Michaels: Things are gonna get better. I promise...and cheer up, because they could be worse. You could still be with Hunter.
Syxx: And nobody would want that.
*There was no telling how long he'd been standing there off in the doorway, but he walked all the way in and sat on the arm of the couch nearest to Joanie.*
Syxx: Hey man. *He nodded at Shawn.* Hey hun. *He kissed her on the top of the head.* St. Michael of DXville keeping my girl out of trouble here, is he?
Shawn Michaels: Well...trying. *he smiled* How's it going, Kid?
Syxx: You must not watch much TV.
Shawn Michaels: Touché. *he stood up* I'd better go find my partner. Do me a favor buddy and convince her to come out tonight?
Syxx: You're not coming out tonight? *He looked at her concerned.*
Chyna: I just don't feel very good...
Syxx: But your dress looked so nice... you know if you want to go with Hunter and Shawn... that's okay with me.
Chyna: No! It's not like that! Why would you say that?
Syxx: I just thought maybe you wanted to do the DX thing. I guess I was wrong. Joanie, hun, we're going to have a great time... do you need to talk to Shawn some more? I'll go.
Chyna: You two talk. I'm just going to go get ready. You're right... we'll have fun. *She seemed like she doubted herself a little bit, but pulled herself from the couch, and walked off toward the bedroom part of the mini suite.*
Syxx: *He sighed* How's life Shawn?
Shawn Michaels: Like a Rollercoaster.
Syxx: Yeah, it seems to be that way for us too.
Shawn Michaels: I've decided I really don't like the color black any more.
Syxx: But we both look so good in it... it's black and white that... *He raised his eyebrow* its not the time to talk about this. Tonight's a night for celebration.
Shawn Michaels: Yeah it is. If I manage to find Hunter, how about we all go somewhere together after, and do something pointless. Just for fun.
*There was a knock on the door, and Joanie came out of the bathroom in a sleek black dress with a lime green lace bodice. The skirt was slanted and big fringe cuts in it. She was wearing a cute pair of low heeled shoes as not to even her 5'10 frame with Sean's 6'1 height. She was still in the middle of hair and makeup but went to the door, motioning for them to continue talking. She opened the door, and smacked right into the large frame of a gorgeous six foot four man with golden hair, and no matter how many cracks she made about his nose, she thought he was more beautiful with age. It wasn't that she loved him, it was that she thought he was hurting somehow, and she had a real heart for hurting people.*
Chyna: Hunter. *There was nothing else to say.*
Triple H: You're alive, I see.
Chyna: I'm... I'm... *She started sobbing, closed the door so they were both outside, and she fell into his chest. He just let her, but he didn't put his arms around her. She hadn't expected him to.* I'm so sorry... I... I ruined your life... and you still can't fix it. And I said all kinds of shit that wasn't true, and I made myself believe all these things... and I just keep thinking that I can't look at you, because you are the way you are because of me. I wish you'd just give up on me.... *She blubbered and tears stained his shirt.*
Triple H: *In spite of himself he leaned forward and rested his head against hers. This was just perfect...a deep conversation really wasn't what he needed right now. But he felt worse for her than he did for himself.* Joanie...you're...absolutely nuts. *He put his arms around her* Everything's ok. I'm fine...and the only thing you're ruining right now is my shirt.
Chyna: Hunter? I need help.
Triple H: Then ask for it.
Chyna: It's worse than you realize.
Triple H: It doesn't matter...I wanna hear about it.
Chyna: I'm off my meds. I haven't taken them in weeks... and I don't want to tell Michael... but I'm so mad because he already knows. I know he knows. I thought when Sean came back that I wouldn't need them anymore...
Triple H: If I'd taken the time to really think about it I probably would have known too... I'm really sorry for not noticing...but you can fix this. You know you can... you're stronger than anyone I know.
Chyna: I just want to come home Hunter. Six years later, and I still just want to come home.
Triple H: I...can't say anything to that. I promised myself I wouldn't hurt you any more...and if I answered you, that's what I'd do.
Chyna: Ouch. Yeah, I should have figured that. *She finally let him go.* I got to go finish getting ready. You obviously didn't come to see me anyway... your real commitment partner is in there talking to my boyfriend.
Triple H: Joanie... *he lifted his hand up to softly wipe a wayward tear from her cheek...he did it without thinking, then he realized she had probably noticed he wasn't wearing his wedding ring any more. He took his hand away again.* ...for the record, I'll never give up on you.
Syxx: *From in the other room.* Joanie, who is it?
Chyna: It's just Hunter. *She braced herself on the door.* You coming in?
Triple H: Yeah, yeah I am...
*She moved aside and when he came in they both reached to close the door. Their hands met on the doorknob, and they both looked down at the offending thing like their own body had betrayed them. She just recoiled and turned on her heels, rolling her shoulders back, and heading straight back into the bathroom. Shawn looked her over, and couldn't help but roll his eyes, not knowing any of what had just happened, and certainly barely expecting it, he figured it was just Hunter having the effect Hunter had on people.*
Triple H: *He didn’t know how he managed it, but somehow he was able to act normal* Hey. So, when's the last time all of us were in the same room together?
Syxx: Probably sometime before you started hating me.
Triple H: Hey, he was the one who hated you...I was just the middle man.
Syxx: I meant personally Hunter, not professionally. But, whatever. It's all good.
Shawn Michaels: Should we go? We don't want to get stuck in traffic or...die of awkwardness.
Syxx: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to stir all that up again. *He sighed* What do you two know that I don't know?
Triple H: Nobody knows anything...they just think they do.
Syxx: *He looked at Shawn like he didn't believe that.* Okay, so Hunter knows nothing... what do you know, you probably know it all.
Shawn Michaels: What do you wanna know, the day you're going to die or the day the world's going to end? Or maybe you just wanna know which will come first.
Syxx: She's off her meds isn't she?
Shawn Michaels: I think it's Joanie you need to ask about that one.
Syxx: Could you help me out here guys? She keeps telling me not to worry. I don't know what to do... she goes along like everything's fine... but I feel like we're in the middle of her unspoken intervention.
Triple H: She's off her meds. Has been for weeks.
Syxx: Okay... I'll... I'll handle it.
Triple H: Go easy on her.
Syxx: I hardly think I need you to tell me how to handle her.
Triple H: I think sometimes I do.
Shawn Michaels: Okay we're going. *he stood up and not so subtlely urged Hunter towards the door* Yeah uh...see you later.
*Sean and Hunter didn't take their eyes off of one another even though Shawn was moving Hunter back pretty forcefully. And then the sound of Joanie's sobs from the bathroom filled Shawn's ears, and she may as well have been a little girl pleading for her father, because that's what she sounded like.*
Chyna: Miiiichaellll....
*Like any good father, he dropped what he was doing and went straight to her side, a look of concern etched on his handsome face.*
Shawn Michaels: What, what's wrong?
*It only then occured to him that he had left Hunter and Sean alone after such a heated discussion, but seeing her seated on the floor, hair down in her face, tears streaming beyond her control. He closed the door. He didn't really expect much of an answer, and she didn't really have on to give.*
Chyna: You... you were right... and I... I hate you for it.
Shawn Michaels: *he got on the floor beside her, bringing his knees into his chest* How bad?