Chapter Three:
Building a Mystery
by: Melody
The title of this story,
was taken from the song:
Building a Mystery
by: Sarah McLachlan
From the album:
Surfacing
All charecters, except Serena, are the property of WWF, Titan Productions,
and themselves.
"Come on in," I said to Adam as we reached my room."I'm
still too wound up to sleep." "Alright," he said, following me inside.
"I was hoping you'd ask." "I'm still trying to get used to all this," I
told him." When I did shows back in Florida, I was back home every night."
"I've been meaning to ask," he said. "Did you meet Dave in the indies?"
"Oh, no!" I laughed, "I was far too young to be wrestling then. I was only
twelve when I met David." "Really?" He asked," I got the impression you
two were really close." "We were," I replied with a smile. " He was best
friends with my cousin in high school, and I had a huge crush on him. I'm
pretty sure he knew, but he always treated me like a little sister. I was
over my crush by the time I joined them in high school. They were both
seniors by then, and they took it upon themselves to protect me from all
the older guys who tried to date me." I chuckled to my self. "What?" Adam
asked. "Oh, I was just remembering the time I found out about a fight he
got into because of me." "What happened?" "Well, when I found out about
it, I gave him hell for about an hour. I just couldn't convince him that
I knew how to take care of myself." I sat down on the edge of the bed,
and kicked off my boots. "You know, you're pretty lucky," I told Adam with
a grin. " Why is that?" He asked. " Well... If he had caught you kissing
me back then, you wouldn't have known what hit you." "You kissed
me," he pointed out. "Well, you know that, and I know that, but David didn't."
I said standing and walking over to him. " Besides, you weren't exactly
fighting me off." " Hmmm... no, I wasn't was I?" he said pulling me to
him and running his hands down my back. He leaned down till his mouth was
level with my ear and said, "Probably, because I was thinking of doing
this." Suddenly, I felt him pinch my ass. I jumped, and nearly fell down
before he grabbed me, laughing. " Ow! I can't belive you just did that!"
"I warned you," he said still laughing at me."Oh Yeah?!" I said, pushing
him toward the bed, " Now you're in for it!" With one last push, he was
sprawled across my bed. I crawled on top of him, and straddled his waist.
He reached up, running his long fingers through my hair, and pulled me
down for a kiss. Suddenly, 'knock-knock-knock' three raps, sounded on the
door of my room. "Now what!" I exclaimed, rolling off of Adam. "I'll give
you three guesses," Adam laughed. "I'd get it in one." I said, going toward
the door. "Let me guess, you're sharing a room with...." I swung the door
open, "David!!! What a surprise."
"What can I do for you, Dave?" I asked him. "I thought you might be
missing this," he answered, holding up my computer. He peered around me
at Adam, who was still sitting on the bed. " And I wanted to make sure
you got to bed OK." "I was doing just fine, till you showed up," I muttered,
as I took my computer from him. "What was that?" David asked, as I put
the computer down. "Oh nothing," I answered. " I was just thinking that
I would have gone crazy without this thing." "Serena was just telling me
how she met you," Adam said, saving me from the further questions I could
see on David's face. "She has some pretty funny stories about the guys
you beat up to protect her." He continued, coming over and putting his
arm around me, " You know, when she was still a kid?" I silently thanked
whoever sent me someone who knew how to save me from self-appointed older
brothers. "Yeah," I said, smiling up at Adam, "I guess Dave thinking I
need protection is pretty funny, considering I've been known to wrestle
men on occasion." "Alright, alright," David griped. "I get the point. I'll
back off, I guess I still think of you as the sweet little girl who had
a crush on me." " I wouldn't call her sweet if I were you Dave," Adam laughed.
"You saw what she did to Shane!" "OK, thats it." I said grabbing both of
them and propelling them through the door. "Both of you, out of here! I'm
going to bed!" I let them go, and they stood there, rubbing their arms
and laughing. " Strong isn't she!" Adam commented. "I think we made her
cranky!" David laughed. "Dave," I said sweetly. "Hmmm?" " GO AWAY!" He
fled down the hall laughing. "As for you," I said to Adam. "Go away?" he
said with a grin. "Not quite yet," I said, wrapping my arms around his
waist. "Oh, did you want something?" "Now that I think about it...." I
said, letting go and turning away." Come back here!" he laughed, grabbing
me and pulling me in for another kiss. " Hey Adam," we heard from down
the hall. "You want me to hold the elevator?" "I'm going to kill him."
Adam said, conversationally. "Me first!" I laughed back. "I'll see you
at breakfast," Adam told me. "Can't wait," I replied with a smile. I watched
him walk down the hall, and punch David in the arm as they stepped onto
the elevator.
The next morning I was awake with the sun, old habits die hard, and
I always woke early when I knew it would be a good day. It was only six,
and I didn't have to meet the guys for breakfast until seven-thirty. I
called room service for some coffee, and jumped into the shower. I was
still in my robe, drying my hair and contemplating a change when there
was a knock at the door. 'I wonder who that is?' I thought to my self,
'Did I forget to tip the bell-boy?' I opened the door to find an immaculately
dressed girl, of about my age. 'Wow! She must be a REALLY early riser!'
I thought before saying, "Hi, can I help you?" "My name is Stephanie McMahon,
I was going down to breakfast and heard your hair dryer, so I thought I
would stop by and introduce myself." "That's really nice of you," I said
inviting her in. " My name is Serena. I've been looking forward to meeting
you, Drew says we have a lot in common." "Really?" she said, giving me
an odd look. "He said that?" "Well, I was bruising his ego at the time,"
I laughed. "So take it as you will. Would you like some coffee?" "I'd love
some," she said with a smile. "Just let me throw some clothes on and I'll
be right with you." I said, ducking into the bathroom. I threw on my workout
clothes, nylon Addidas pants and a sports-bra with one of my black three
quarter sleeve t-shirts over it. When I came out I saw that Stephanie had
already served herself some coffee, and was looking my computer over. "This
is a great notebook," she said. "I love it," I told her. "It cost a fortune
and a half, but it's worth it. I can keep in touch with my friends back
home, and I've already used it to play a great practical joke." "I heard
about that!" She said with a laugh, "Somebody told Shane, and he called
me last night to tell me about it. He also told me about the shock you
gave him! Thats why I wanted to introduce myself. It'll be great to have
someone else around who likes to cut the guys down to size, occasionally."
"Oh, then you shouldn't have missed Adam and I, last night. We really cut
into David for doing his big brother act, when Adam came back to my room
after the party." "His big brother act? That's one I wouldn't expect from
Gangrel!" "Well he probably wouldn't do it for anyone but me!" I said,
laughing. "We've known each other since we were kids. It's old habit from
back in high school, he and my cousin used to beat up my older boyfriends.
I think we cured him of it last night though, I reminded him that I'm known
for taking down guys twice my size in the ring." "So you and Adam....?"
she said trailing off uncertainly. "I hope so," I said " Thanks to Dave,
we didn't get any further than a few, rather nice, kisses." "Oh, good!"
she sighed, with relief. "You had me worried when you mentioned Drew earlier.
I thought he might be interested in you....." "No," I said with a laugh.
"I don't think so. He's a great guy but, he just doesn't have Adam's smile!"
"Hmmm," Stephanie smiled. "But he does make up for it in..." "Other areas!"
I interrupted her, laughing. "I had noticed that! So, if you like him so
much, why aren't you two together? I could tell by the way he mentioned
you, that he'd be interested." "I don't know," she said " I'd love to,
ever since we started this dating storyline I've been thinking about it,
but I'm araid he won't respect me...." "I don't think you have to worry
about that!" I laughed. "It might just be time for a little shock to his
system!" "You might be right about that," She said with a smirk. "I have
an idea," I told her, "I'm pretty sure he'll be at breakfast. Why don't
you join us? It'll be you, me, and the 'Candian Mafia' in all it's blonde
glory. We have to figure out the Brood's past , and my persona, before
we have lunch with your dad this afternoon." "I'd love to!" she said. "Who
wouldn't want to be surrounded by every girl's blonde dream for a few hours!
Thanks!" "No problem," I replied, "It'll be fun. Just let me grab
a few things for later." I quickly threw a dress, some sandals and a few
other necessities into a gym bag. "Oh god!" I cried, catching a glimpse
of my hair in the mirror. "I'm a disaster! I hate my damn hair! If I dont
blow-dry it all the way, it looks terrible." I told Stephanie, as I tried
to pull it into a pony-tail that looked halfway decent. "Sometimes I just
want to chop it all off!" " If you're really serious," Stephanie said looking
me over, " With your face, you would look great with one of those really
short....oh, what do they call them.... Pixie cuts, thats it! Plus you
would be a great contrast with all that long blonde hair in the Brood."
"You know," I said thoughtfully. "You might be right, and with all the
other women in the federation, too. I'd look totally unique." "That's always
a good thing around here," she said "With your looks, and teaming with
the Brood, plus a really unique style, you'd be sure to 'go over' with
the fans really quickly! I was thinking of finding some place to get a
manicure this afternoon, why don't you come with me? You can look at some
magazines, and decide if its something you really want." "Oh I've already
decided," I said with a grin, "I'm doing it!" On that note, we decided
to head downstairs. I realized I had already found another person I would
end up being great friends with. I knew this would be a great day!
When we reached the dining room, all the guys were already waiting
for me. "Mornin' gorgeous," Adam said, pulling me over to the chair between
himself and Andrew, and kissing my cheek. "Back at you, darlin'" I said,
giving Stephanie a look and eyeing the chair on the other side of
Drew. "I invited Steph to join us, guys. We were getting to know each other
up in my room." "I had a feeling the two of you would get along," Drew
grimaced. Stephanie raised an eyebrow at me, "Why, Drew. I didn't know
you cared." she said. I just happened to notice one of her hands disappear
under the table, right before Drew jumped in his chair. I caught a glimpse
of that same hand running up his leg, as I turned my head away to keep
from laughing at the look on his face. 'Well, that's definitly a shocker!'
I thought to myself, as I opened up my menu. 'I might have to try that
some-time!' The waiter came over, and took our orders. We immediatly got
down to business, while we waited for the food. "Well," said David, "We
were talking about your persona before you came down, and we came up with
a few ideas that might work." " Yeah," Jay said, " The first one was that
you're Gangrel's sister and..." Wouldn't she have to be a vampire for that
to work?" Stephanie asked. "Oh no!" I said, "I tried fangs for Halloween
once, all I did the whole night was bite my tongue! I couldn't wrestle
in those things!" "Ok, so that's out." Adam said, "How about this:
We solve both problems by having you be the reason for the original break-up.
You were the love of Edge's life, then Christian introduced him to Gangrel.
Gangrel decided he wanted you for himself, and tried to take you away,
telling you that Edge wanted him to have you. You took off into the wild
blue yonder, feeling betrayed. Gangrel told Edge and Christian that you
died, saving him from vampire hunters. Edge blamed Gangrel for not being
able to save you, and took off on his own, vowing never to return to his
control." "Forgetting his brother, in his grief over your supposed death,"
Jay chimed in. "Right," said David. " Gangrel found Edge again in
the WWF, and used his love for Christian, and his guilt over leaving him,
to bring him back to form the Brood." "Ok," I said, "It sounds good so
far, and I know the story from here: everything goes fine for a while.
The Brood stands out from the crowd, impressing the Federation and truly
frightening their opponents. They join, and then break from, the dreaded
Ministry. Find themselves in a race for the tag team titles, and suddenly
everything falls apart. Gangrel becomes jealous of the popularity of Edge,
and tries to find ways to 'accidently' sabotage his matches. The group
breaks, but Christian makes no formal prefrence known, appearing in tag
matches with his brother, but not formally announcing his intentions. Now
we come to the present, Gangrel kidnaps Christian during a match against
the Acolytes. Edge is left to face them alone and is demolished. OK, we
have the back story, now we have to figure out where I come in again."
"What we need to do," Jay said, "Is build up the mystery around you for
a while. Let the fans know you exist, but not who you are yet. We got more
of our storyline from Shane earlier, Christian and Gangrel appear in the
audience together after Edge's match on Heat, Sunday. Monday will bring
an announcement that he feels betrayed and hurt by his brother, and furious
at Gangrel for breaking them apart again." "They've scheduled a bloodbath
match between Gangrel and Edge for Raw as well," David supplied. " How
will it end?" I asked. "Gangrel will be about to win the match, but the
lights will go out and when they come up again, Christian is standing over
an unconsious blood soaked Gangrel." Jay said with a grin.
"Then Christian enters the ring, and embraces his brother," Adam said.
"I've got it!" I exclaimed. Nearly knocking over the tray with our food,
as the waiter tried to put it in front of us." Got what!" Adam laughed
as he grabbed the tray, saving me from the eggs and bacon about to fall
on my head. "Thanks," I told the waiter, as he handed me my plate. "Where
I come in, I can be the deciding factor for Christian." " How?" Drew asked,
"If he's supposed to believe you are dead?" "Well let's say I'm still in
love with Edge, having decided that he would never have betrayed me. I've
been keeping track of the Brood, and waiting till the inevitable break-up.
I'm spotted by the camera in the audience on Sunday night, not with Gangrel
and Christian, or with Edge. Just picked out in the crowd and commented
on by the announcers. When I see Christian apparently choosing Gangrel,
I decide to interfere. I reveal myself to Christian, and tell him about
what Gangrel did to me. We're caught on camera before the bloodbath match,
no sound of course. Just Christian and the Mystery Girl talking in the
back. Which would make me a possible cause for his change of heart. Then
at the next show I reveal myself to Edge and we have some sort of emotionally
charged reunion." "I love it!" Jay said with a big smile. "I
do too," said Adam. Giving me a flush of pride with the smile he gives
me. "It sounds good," David said, "But how does this get the team back
together? Your character would have every reason to hate mine." "Not if
you saved me from something.... Lets see, who doesn't like you guys right
now?" " The Acolytes?" Drew tried. "No they're gonna be pretty busy soon."
said Stephanie, "How about the Hardy Boyz, they don't like the Brood much."
"Yeah Steph, that might work!" I said, "Ok, the Hardy Boyz decide to attack
me, to get at Edge and Christian before a match." "They could always kidnap
you!" Stephanie laughed. "I always knew you got off on that!" Drew smirked,
then she punched him in the arm, and he decided to keep quiet. "OK, they
kidnap me, throwing Edge and Christian into a rage. But they can't miss
their match to go look for me. They are enraged in the ring, demolishing
the Boyz. Not realizing that by knocking them unconcious they have lost
their chance to find out where I am. Gangrel has been biding his time,
but when he finds out I'm in danger, he puts his anger at them aside and
goes looking for me. He finds me and brings me to the ring just as Edge
and Christian realize they have knocked the Boyz unconcious. I run into
Edge's arms and tell them how Gangrel saved me. They both look at Gangrel
in confusion, and Gangrel starts to turn away. I break away from Edge and
run to Gangrel, grabbing ahold of his hand. I slowly lead him back down
the ramp, toward Edge and Christian. Gangrel's saving me, and my forgiving
him for the past will bring the Brood back together." I said triumphantly.
"It might work," David said, sounding impressed. "It WILL work," I told
him. "I can tell you right now, that my dad will like it." Stephanie commented,
"It makes more sense than some of the stuff he's come up with in the past."
"You can say that again," said Drew, laughing.
We were all done eating by this time, so we said goodbye to Stephanie,
who doesn't have to work out every day (lucky girl!). She and I made plans
to meet at around two-thirty, and she offered to make our appointments.
I didn't even think to tell the guys what I was planning to do that day,
it didn't occur to me that they would care. We took off for the gym, I
had my workout with X-Pac and had some fun showing off my moves on him.
Glenn even decided to try me, and was shocked that I could drop him with
only a little more effort. I just let Drew, Adam, Jay, and David laugh
at them from the side of the ring for a while, then jumped the ropes and
knocked them down like bowling pins. We ended up in a heap on the floor,
with everyone laughing so hard we couldn't get up. I convinced them not
to retaliate, and ran to the shower room in case they changed their minds.
I showered and changed for lunch, then met the guys outside. Drew took
my car back to the hotel, and the rest of us drove to the restaurant to
meet with Vince. As Steph had predicted, he told us that we could go with
our idea. In fact he got on his cell phone, and set up the extra taping
right then. He pulled me aside and told me that he was very happy with
me. "You, have single-handedly solved a problem I've been worrying over
for weeks." I managed to keep my head its normal size, and told him that
Shane, Stephanie, and the rest of the guys had done as much as I had. He
thanked me anyway,saying that it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't come
along.
After lunch we drove back to the hotel, and I left again, this time
with Stephanie. We told the guys we were off to do girly stuff, and giggled
most of the way to the salon about how fast they took off. Stephanie told
me that she and Drew had eaten lunch together at the hotel, "It sounds
like the shock treatment you gave him this morning worked," I laughed.
"Oh, you caught that!" she said blushing. "Yeah, I almost ruined it by
laughing at him," I told her. "Why do you think I buried my nose in the
menu!" I laughed, as we walked into the salon.
When we came out about two hours later, I felt lighter than air. You
don't realize how much your hair weighs until it's gone! I was still trying
to get used to the feeling. I knew it looked great from the reactions I
was getting, but I still felt naked. Steph, made me get the full pampering
session after my hair was done, probably because I cried like a baby when
I saw that first cut hit the floor. I don't know what I would have done
if she hadn't been there. Hell knowing me, I would have gone running out
with half of my hair gone!
We made it back to the hotel just in time to find the guys sitting
down for dinner. This time the dropping jaws were a total suprise to me!
"Are you trying to kill us!?!" Jason hollered at me. "What!?" I said, "I
just cut my hair!" "You haven't cut your hair in the entire thirteen years
I've known you!" David said regaining his voice, at last. "Well it was
time for a change." I shrugged. "I needed something to make me stand out
here." "It makes sense you guys," Stephanie volunteered. "She has a totally
unique look for the federation." "I think you look fantastic" Andrew told
me. "Thanks, at least somebody here knows what they're doing." I smiled
at him. "Don't get us wrong Reenie," David said placatingly," It does look
great, it was just a big shock." "Alright guys, you're forgiven. I think
I even shocked myself this time." Just then I realized that I hadn't heard
Adam say a word since I sat down. Suddenly I felt nervous for the first
time since I met him. The memory of his hands running through my hair the
night before, flashed into my brain. "Adam? You've been awfully quiet?"
I said with my heart in my throat. I couldn't even look at him. Then I
heard a quiet "Wow!". As I turned to see his face, that sexy smile, and
the look in his eyes, told me everything I needed to know.
To be continued:
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Livin'
On the Edge