* * * * * *
“Hey, um, Chris? Can I ask a favor of you?” Andrew asks, speaking lightly into the payphone outside the hospital. “I can? Great! Alright, you remember Ashlee, right? Yeah, well, something terrible has happened to her and I can’t do anything about it.” He explains. “She’s been forced to marry Abs and he’s taking her out of state, so I’ll never see her again. I’m pretty sure they’re leaving in about a day or so. Uh-huh. Yeah. Well, I need you to make sure they do not leave this state. What?” Andrew pauses for a moment. “Why can’t I do it? I have a crushed ankle, that’s why! Yah, so I need you to go find them for me and get Ashlee back. I have Shane’s cell number, that’s all I got. I hope you can work off of that. It’s 238-0257. Ok, thanks a lot Chris. I owe you!” Andrew hangs up the phone, satisfied. He walks back inside the hospital, a grin on his face.
* * * * * *
“What do you think of this one?” Joey holds up a 24 Karat, 3 diamond ring.
“Uh-huh..” Ashlee stares past Joey and the ring to the exit. Maybe if I distract him then run…
“Honey?” Joey taps lightly on her shoulder, interrupting her thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“I asked what you thought of this one, but I don’t think you’re paying attention to me.”
“I am. I said ‘Uh-huh’ which means I like it.” Ashlee replies coldly.
“You do?” She nods slightly. “Great!” He turns to the store clerk, who’s watching the two of them with curiosity. “Hey, haven’t I seen you two from somewhere before? On t.v. I think…” They ring up the ring and Joey pays for it. “Now I know!” the clerk exclaims. “You two are from WWF!” They turn to Ashlee. “You’re Ashlee, the chick that hangs out with Test, and-“ they turn to Joey, “You’re Joey Abs of the Mean Street Posse! I would’ve never though you two dated!”
“We don’t.” Joey says simply.
“You don’t?”
“Nope. We’re married. Just yesterday too, in fact.” He explains, slipping the ring on Ashlee’s finger and kissing her hand.
“You are? Congratulations!” the clerk exclaims.
“Thanks. Well, we gotta get going now. Nice talking to ya, bye!” Joey puts an arm around Ashlee and leads her away.
“Joey,” Ashlee says, “Where are we going?”
“Well, sweetie, I thought we’d do some more shopping, just to kill time.” He looks around the mall, searching for a store that interests him.
“Oh..” She looks up and realizes that the two of them are getting a lot of curious stares and hears people whispering amongst themselves. “Uh, Joey, we’re drawing a lot of attention you know. These people obviously recognize us.” She sighs loudly when she realizes Joey isn’t even paying attention. “Whatever..” she says out loud to herself.
“What babe?” Joey asks, leading her off into the direction of a store.
“Nothing, nothing.” She lowers her head and watches the floor pass by as they walk. I’ll never get away..
Throughout the rest of the day, the two of them shop and kill a few hours. Around 5 p.m. that day, they head off in the direction of Joey’s car. To Joey’s amazement, Ashlee willingly gets in the car. He gets in and looks at her. “You’re unusually quiet and cooperative today.” He says, concern in his voice.
She looks him in the eye. “Well, since this is how my life is going to be from now on, I decided I might as well get used to it and stop fighting you.”
Joey nods, grinning. He doesn’t say a word as he leans over and kisses her. She doesn’t fight back. She lets him finish his kiss. When he’s done he smiles at her. “Ashlee, I love you.” She smiles back slightly. “Thanks Joey.” Seconds later, tears fill her eyes, but she hides them from Joey. My life from now on is hell..
* * * * *
“We’re ho-ome!” Joey announces in a sing-song voice. He shuts the car off and glances at Ashlee, who’s sleeping quietly. He steps out of the car and makes his way to Ashlee’s side. He opens the door and picks her up, making sure not to wake her. He slams the door shut with his foot and carries Ashlee to the front door. He manages to unlock and open his door while holding Ashlee. He brings her inside and lays her on the couch, then goes back to lock the door.
He walks over to the table next to the couch and picks up the phone. He dials Shane’s number, but gets no answer. Strange… He hangs up the phone, then sits down next to Ashlee’s sleeping body and turns the t.v. on.
* * * * *
Shane looks in the mirror at his reflection, touching his nose lightly. Oww, still hurts. Damn, she got me good. He stares into the mirror for a few more minutes until there’s a knock at his door. Now what?
He makes his way to the door, smiling. He opens it, expecting to see Mark, but scowls when he sees who it is.
“What are you doing here?”
Chris Jericho grins and steps past Shane, into his house.
“I said what are you doing here?” Shane asks coldly, eyeing Jericho warily.
“A little birdie told me what you’ve done to Ashlee and gave me your number. I tracked you down from that.” Jericho replies, looking around.
“I don’t suppose that birdie is blonde, Canadian and has a few boo-boo’s?”
Jericho shrugs. “Ya never know. Now-“ he looks at Shane. “Where’s Joey?? Where’s he keeping Ashlee?”
It’s Shane’s turn to shrugs. “I dunno. I tried calling before, but I go no answer.”
Jericho sighs. “You’re not lying to me, are you Shane?”
Shane shakes his head, smirking. “No sirree.”
“Why the smirk then?”
“Oh, just thinking of how you came all the way over here, thinking you were actually going to get an answer from me, even if I did know where they were!”
“Uh-huh..” In one quick movement Jericho slams Shane against the wall, scaring the Boy Wonder.
“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Personally, I lik the hard way.” Jericho growls. “Now where are you sending them?”
“I-I got them plane tickets to N-New York..” Shane stutters nervously.
“New York?”
“Yeah, so they can go visit Ashlee’s folks…”
“Oh, I see. When do they leave?” Jericho questions, tightening his grip on Shane’s throat.
“Tomorrow morning.” Shane chokes out.
Jericho nods approvingly. “Okay, now if you answer this next question correctly, I’ll let you go and then I’ll leave. Where are they right now?!?”
“I told you, I don’t know!” Shane protests.
“Are you sure?” Jericho glares into Shane’s eyes.
“I’m positive! Joey said something about buying rings, so they’re probably at the store!”
Jericho lets go of his grip on Shane. Shane sighs, relieved. Jericho makes his way to the door, but halfway there, he stops and turns around. “Before I forget Shane…” He throws his fist out and punches Shane hard in the stomach. The Boy Wonder clutches his stomach and falls to his knees in pain. Jericho grins, then leaves. Shane crawls to the phone and dials Mark’s number.
* * * * *
Andrew paces back and forth next to Stevie’s bed, a slight limp in his walk. Stevie watches Andrew with growing curiosity.
“Who’d ya call?”
“A friend?”
“Who?”
“Jericho.”
“Oh… why?”
“To find Ashlee.”
“Good idea. How do you think he’s doing so far?”
“I don’t know. I hope-“ Andrew looks up as Jericho enters the room. “What’s the news? Did you find her?”
“I didn’t find her, yet. The news is that they’re going to New York tomorrow to Ash’s folks house.” Jericho informs.
Andrew looks at Jericho surprised. “New York? Her folks?” Jericho nods.
“You said you didn’t find her yet, right? Did you find Shane?”
“Yep. He said he tried contacting Joey before, but go no answer. He said something about Joey taking Ashlee out to buy rings.” Jericho explains, rolling his eyes.
Andrew nods thoughtfully at Jericho. “Thanks.”
“No prob. Now I’ll just go find out where Joey’s staying at and sure enough, Ash’ll be with him.” Jericho leaves the room, waving at Andrew and Stevie. He makes his way outside to the parking lot where Mark and Shane are waiting for him. Jericho stops in his track when he notices them. “What do you two want?” The two smirk at him as realization crosses Jericho. A trap… He spins around quickly, but is too late. Jen smashes him in the head with a pipe, knocking him out cold.
* * * * * *
Where is Shane?? Joey asks himself angrily. He slams down the phone in frustration.
“What’s the matter?” Ashlee asks suddenly. Joey jumps up in surprise. “Oh, sweetie! You’re awake.” He bends down and hugs her.
“Who were you trying to call?”
“Shane, but got no answer…”
“Oh..” Andrew’s name flashes in her mind.
“I’ll try again later. He should answer by then.” Joey says, making his way next to Ashlee. As soon as he sits down next to her, she stands up and starts to walk away. He grabs her and pulls her onto his lap. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Joey, I’m thirsty!” Ashlee whines.
“Thirsty? I’ll get your drink then.” Joey offers. “What would you like?”
Ashlee rolls her eyes. “Fine then. I’ll take some water, thank you.”
Joey lets go of her. She stands up and stands out of his way as he gets up and makes his way to the kitchen. Ashlee sits down and crosses her arms across her chest. She looks around ‘til her eyes land on the phone. She scoots over and picks it up, checking back to see if Joey’s come out of the kitchen. She slowly dials Andrew’s cell number. She lets it ring 5 times before hanging up. Damnit! Where is he?!?!
“Here ya go.” Ashlee looks up to see Joey standing before her.
“Thanks.” She murmurs, taking the glass of water from him and sipping it.
Joey watches her, a grin on his face.
“What’s so funny?” She asks, finishing the water.
“Nothing.” He replies, still grinning.
“Why the grin then? What’s so funny?!?” She sets the glass down and suddenly finds herself grinning. Why am I grinning now?? She asks herself.
Joey grabs her hands and pulls her up. She smiles at him happily and wraps him up in a hug. Why am I doing this?? Why do I feel so.. different? She looks down at the empty glass. That’s it! He must’ve drugged it or something. The bastard! She glances up at him. A loveable bastard though.. She shakes her head lightly. I don’t mean that! Ahhh! This is horrible! What did he drug me with??