The scene reopened a few minutes later with Trish seated in the back of her limo. She had fulfilled her duties of appearing on the teen geared show and was now eager to meet up with Deacon and Crystal and enjoy some peace and quiet for tomorrow night’s match. And after those questions who could blame her? Granted they were a little more intelligent than the ones she had usually gotten but still it aggravated her. As the limo pulled out into the street Trish’s head smacked against the side. Not enough to do any damage but it definitely gave her a headache. Letting out a groan she pulled herself off the back of the seat. She leaned down to the floor grabbing her purse from beside her feet. She unzipped it and pulled out a small bottle of Tylenol. She dropped one into her hand then reached over to the refrigerator for a bottle of water. Popping the pill into her mouth she took a sip of water then placed the lid back on the bottle. Just as she started to lean back she realized she forgot to grab her suitcase before she left that morning. Being on the phone with Karen when she left her mind was centered on the conversation. She could just kick herself for forgetting and lucky she was in her limo so she couldn’t. She looked down at her watch. Deacon was supposed to meet her at the airport with Crystal in an hour and a half so chances were he hadn’t left yet. Pulling herself forward again she grabs her purse off the floor this time pulling out her cell phone. After a few minutes she finally finds it shoved down at the bottom of her purse. She pulls the phone out and flips it open. She pulls up her contacts and flips through to Deacon’s number. After flipping through a couple of numbers she reaches Deacon’s number and goes through the options, finally pressing the call button. As the phone starts to ring she reaches over to the armrest and presses the button that controls the patrician. Just as the patrician reaches the top Deacon picks up the phone.
Trish Stratus: Hey babe, I was just thinking about you.
Deacon Havok: Were you now? Was it something good or should I be concerned?
Trish Stratus: (She giggles) You’re funny, you know that? Unless you turn out to be a complete idiot with a microphone in your hand nonstop you have nothing to worry about. And trust me…you’re not one, so you’re safe.
Deacon Havok: (He lets out a breath of relief) Am I ever glad to hear that.
Trish Stratus: I’ll bet you are.
Deacon Havok: Judging by the tone of your voice, the press conference didn’t go as well as you had hoped it would
Trish Stratus: Oh my god, you have no idea. I might as well have just went to the arena and spent a couple hours talking to Todd “I’m a complete idiot�?Grisham�?or�?(Trish shudders) Maria, as bad as it sounds they were. I seriously would’ve had a better time if I had just stood there and shoved bamboo sticks under my fingernails until I drew blood.
Deacon Havok: Now surely it couldn’t have been that bad hun. You’ve went through countless interviews with both Todd and Maria and haven’t driven bamboo sticks under your fingernails�?yet.
Trish Stratus: Note the phrase yet. I don’t know babe, if that had lasted any longer I would’ve ended up beating those idiots with that microphone, I swear I would have. Hey listen when I left this morning I forgot to grab my suitcase. Is there anyway I can get you to bring it to the airport with you?
Deacon Havok: I suppose I can arrange that, You’re just lucky I love you so much or you’d have to come back for your own bag.
Trish Stratus: I owe you one.
Deacon Havok: Oh don’t worry I plan to collect that on the honeymoon. Look do yourself a favor and calm down a little bit. You’re sounding way to much like your daughter was this morning. She didn’t want to hold still so I could get her dressed, she’s all excited about flying with mommy to watch her match.
Trish Stratus: Yes well she can’t watch too much of it. I know it’s going to be on early enough where she can stay up if she gets a nap in but considering how violent and bloody it’s going to get its best that she not see it.
Deacon Havok: I suppose you’re right but she really wants to see mommy win the title.
Trish giggles at the comment. She can picture her daughter throwing a fit and wanting to see Trish retain the Intercontinental Title still she didn’t want her to see a match that was going to be as graphic as this one was shaping up to be.
Trish Stratus: That’s my girl. I don’t know Deacon something just tells me there’s going to be way to much blood and violence for her to see that young and trust me I see a lot of that between myself and of course Jeanette.
Deacon Havok: I'm sure she'll understand babe.
Trish Stratus: She better cause she doesn't have any choice in the matter. I don't have any idea what's going to happen out there and I don't want to take the chance of her seeing anything to graphic. She wants to watch the begininning I can live with that but not past that, I just don't want to take any chances.
Deacon Havok: I don't blame you. Things can get dangerous out there and if she sees you get hurt it'll terrify her.
Trish Stratus: And that's what I want to avoid. It's not like I can go up to Jeanette and say " Please don't do anything that even remotely looks like I'm getting hurt cause my daughter's watching and I don't want her seeing it". I'd love to but unfortunately that's not a poassibility. Maybe I'm be to paranoid here but I'd rather be safe than sorry over what Crystal sees.
About an hour later Trish’s limo reaches the airport and pulls into the parking lot. It slowly makes its way through the lengthy driving lane eventually coming to a stop directly in front of the doors. The limo driver killed the engine and opened his door stepping out onto the sidewalk. He quickly walked around to the rear door and pulled it open. A few seconds pass and Trish emerges from inside the limo still dressed in the white tank top and pants that she put on that morning. She grabbed her purse from its place on the seat beside her and drapes it over her shoulder. She rises to a standing position, offering the limo driver a polite smile and a thank you before heading into the airport. As she reaches the doors they glide open allowing Trish inside. She stepped past the doors coming to a stop on the other side. She reached inside her purse looking for her airline ticket. Finally finding it next to her cell phone she pulls it out. Her eyes scan the ticket from top to bottom looking for the gate number. She finally finds it on the bottom of the ticket. Gate 23 she quietly says to herself. She lets out a quick hmmm before placing the ticket carefully back into her purse. She takes a quick peek at her watch seeing that she only had 45 minutes left before her flight. Tightening her grip on her purse Trish hurries down the hall searching for gate 23 and her soon to be husband and daughter. Halfway down she sees a large sign hanging from the ceiling giving the directions to where different gates are located. Trish pauses to look and see if the gate she was looking for was on there. Sure enough there it was directly in the middle. Just as Trish was about to continue on she heard an unfamiliar voice calling out “Oh my god it’s Trish Stratus!�? Trish rolled her eyes in annoyance knowing that it was just some damp pantied fan before turning around and finding two teenage girls standing behind her.
Girl #1: Excuse me Trish but we were hoping to get a quick autograph.
Trish nodded her head in acceptance knowing it was the only way she was going to rid herself of them in time to catch her flight. Before she can even fish around in her purse for something to write with both girls produce a sharpie marker and a small notebook. The second girls hands the notebook to Trish as she quickly starts to sign a brief message across the top of the piece of paper.
Girl #1: I know you’re probably in a hurry but I was just wondering are you nervous about facing Jeanette for the Intercontinental Title?
Trish scoffed at the question…her be nervous? Now that was funny.
Trish Stratus: Nervous? Do I look nervous? Honey, I’m wrestled people just as good and maybe even better than Jeanette and I handled myself just fine against them so there’s nothing Jeanette can do that I’d be even the slightest bit nervous over.
Girl #2: Okay maybe not nervous but surely you’re concerned about your chances of her coming out the winner.
Trish Stratus: Of course I am. Jeanette is a hell of a competitor and getting past her isn’t going to be easy by any means.
Girl #1: Have you prepared yourself in any special way to face her?
Trish Stratus: No I haven’t. Going against Jeanette is just like going against anyone else. My only concern is keeping myself away from any place that gives her an advantage to get something over.
Girl #2: Well Jeanette’s previous accomplishments has to be weighing on your mind.
Trish Stratus: Of course it is. I know the last fed she was in got shut down before she could really do much but I’ve seen what she’s done here and that speaks volumes just in itself.
Girl #1: With the Intercontinental Title on the line, do you think either of you would resort to desperate measures in order to win?
Trish Stratus: Sweetie I don’t get desperate. Maybe to smart for those a little on the slow side, but never desperate. I can’t speak for Jeanette, but I’m sure she’d give you pretty much the same response.
Trish handed the girls back the notebook after giving each of them the autograph they asked for. She was hoping that would further show that she had other places she needed to be but no such luck.
Girl #2: I don’t know that low blow against Mark Stone looked awfully desperate to me.
Trish shot the girls a cold glare as she adjusted her purse on her shoulder.
Trish Stratus: Ah, how cute. You obviously are one of the slow minded ones I was talking about. That. my dear, is what one would call seizing an opportunity. Granted I can’t do exactly the same thing against Jeanette for obvious reasons, but if I see an opportunity to gain the upper hand against her I’m certainly going to take advantage of it.
Girl #1: What about Lucas Prodogy? I know you know what you’re doing but I wouldn’t put it past her not to have him come down and help her get the title.
Trish Stratus: Perhaps but I can’t see Jeanette being that stupid. She wants the title more than anything else on this planet and she won’t risk people thinking that she can’t do it on her own. She’s worked way to hard to have him come down there and cost her something that could make her career bigger than it already is.
Trish looks down at her watch seeing that she only has 20 minutes till her flight leaves.
Trish Stratus: Listen girls I really do have to be going if I want to catch my flight.
The girls be grudgingly accept and let Trish go on her way. Knowing that she has quite a distance to go Trish starts running down the terminal hoping that she’s able to make it on time. As she continues to run down the hallway her eyes catch her watch –only ten more minutes. Finally after a couple more minutes Trish finally reaches the gate. Out of breath she unzips her purse and reaches inside for her ticket. She pulls it out and hands it to the flight attendant behind the counter. As the flight attendant glances over the Trish looks around noticing that Chris and Crystal aren’t anywhere to be seen. Figuring they must already be on the plane she waits for the attendant to give her back her ticket. Finally he does and Trish hurries through the gate and into the plane where she sees Chris sitting on the outside seat with Crystal on his lap. She quickly shows the stewardess her ticket and is led to the seat next to him . As she plops her small frame into the seat next to him Crystal crawls over to her.
Deacon Havok: What took you so long? I was beginning to wonder if you were even going to make the plane.
Trish Stratus: I got stopped by these two pains in the ass girls wanting autographs and of course they had to ask some stupid questions about my match tonight. If I wouldn’t have sprinted across the terminal I wouldn’t have made it here on time.
Trish picks Crystal off her lap and sits her down in the seat next to her as the seatbelt sign comes on. After making sure that Crystal was secured she reached over and fastened her own seatbelt. As she did the stewardess stepped out from behind a curtain and got on the microphone.
Stewardess: Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to flight 930 direct from Toronto, Ontario Canada to New York City here on Virgin Atlantic. As soon as the plane has safely made it into the air you will be free to walk around the plane. Enjoy your flight and thank you for flying Virgin Atlantic.
She hung the microphone and disappeared once again behind the curtain. A few moments pass and the seatbelt sign goes off. Trish glances over at Crystal who is fast asleep in her seat. Trish undoes her seatbelt and reaches back inside her purse for her phone. Finding it at the bottom of the main compartment she pulls it out and flips it open She pulls up her contacts and searches for her assistant Karen’s phone number. As she comes across it she presses the call button and listens as the phone starts to ring. A couple of minutes and finally Trish can hear the phone being picked up.
Voice: Hello?
Trish Stratus Jericho: Hey Karen its Trish. Deacon, Crystal and I have just left Toronto and are on our way over to New York. The way I have it figured we should get there about an hour or two before the pre main event even starts.
Karen: That going to give you enough time to over come the jetlag before your match? Considering you’ve got a title defense tonight you want to make sure you’re well rested going into this.
Trish Stratus: Don’t worry I’ll have plenty of time to get there and relax a bit before my match comes up. Even with it being third on the card an hour or two will give me plenty of time. You worry to much you know that? If I didn’t know better I swear I was talking to Deacon instead of you.
Deacon opens his eyes and looks over at his soon to be wife with a quizzical expression as he tries to figure what’s going on. Seeing him looking at her Trish moves the phone away from her mouth a bit and mouths the word Karen at him. Chris nods and closes his eyes once again.
Trish Stratus: Did the sets and everything get there on time and set up?
Karen: Everything’s fine. All the stages and sets came this morning and the crew is setting them up now. I told them to make sure they were up when by the time you got here.
Trish Stratus: Fantastic! I don’t know what I’d do without you helping me.
Karen: Yea about that, Jeanette’s finally shown up and made a promo for tomorrow night. Nothing special really, just the usual interview with your favorite interviewer.
Trish Stratus: She got the pleasure of Todd Grisham did she? Remind me to send her a sympathy card when I get there…she’ll need it. Did she say anything useful or was it nothing but the typical putdowns?
Karen: Surprisingly no. She did however catch your interview on TRL already.
Trish Stratus: Well good. I certainly hoped she enjoyed it. After all it should give her plenty of ammo to use. Lord knows she has to look the best at all times.
Karen: You’ve done that exact same thing yourself on a million of occasions.
Trish Stratus: There’s one little difference though Karen…I’m telling the truth not making up stories. (She sighs) I guess I’ve got to hand it to her though, as much as I hate to admit it some of what she says is true. She is great in the ring and does destroy whoever is put in front of her.
Karen: Scare you a little bit, does it?
Trish Stratus: Hell no! If I was scared of every person I had to face that had that kind of reputation I never would have made it this long. All I’m saying is that out of all the people I’ve faced she’s going to be one of the toughest. I just hope she doesn’t think this match is going to be a cakewalk like her match with Evangelia was. Cause I hate to burst her bubble but it’s going to be far from that. If she wants my title she’s all but going to have to pry from my hands as I’m laying in the ring unconscious.
Karen: A little over dramatic don’t you think? Besides what I heard of her interview she doesn’t seem to think that at all. She knows you busted your ass to get that title and are going to give her a fight to keep it. She’s not dumb like most of the other women there.
Trish Stratus: Thank God, finally one with brains. That’s a rare commodity around here.
The two women share a small laugh before maintaining their composure moments later.
Karen: That was bad.
Trish Stratus: True but it had to be said. Is that all she said or is there anything else I should know about?
Karen: Not really everything she said actually was quite respectful towards you. I can save the tape for you but I didn’t hear one single dig come from her.
Trish Stratus: Really? Now that’s a surprise. Hmmm�?I’m actually respecting this woman. My interview on TV didn’t come across as disrespecting her did it? Because I would hate for it sound like I was cutting her down then she says nice things about me.
Karen: Relax it was fine. Besides she said you made her seem semi likeable, so I’m sure she was fine with it. I thought you didn’t care what she thought about what you said. Sounds a little to me like you do.
Trish Stratus: I do not! I just don’t want a bitching war. Besides I wasn’t slamming her and I don’t want her to think that I was. She’s a hell of a competitor and deserves the recognition.
Karen: That was a fast change. What brought that on all of a sudden?
Trish Stratus: Can’t a girl be flattered when someone she doesn’t even know actually thinks she deserves what she has. How often do I hear that? You know this match might be turn out to fun after all and not the blood fest that I was thinking it was going to be.
Karen: Bloodfest? Where on earth did that come from?
Trish Stratus: Oh come on Karen, you know how I am when people talk shit about me. It gets under my skin and I end up going in there and beating the living hell out of them. Granted I don’t always win but hey, I get my satisfaction. This time, I actually get to go in there with someone who doesn’t resort to insult after insult…it’s refreshing.
Karen: So I take I don’t have to listen to the ranting and raving about she said this and she said that later on? You must wrestle this woman more often.
Trish Stratus: Very funny Karen. You have any idea how dull it would be facing the same person every time? All it’s going to take for me is once. I go in there, give her the best match of her career and walk out with the Intercontinental Title still around my waist.
Karen: A nice dream but unfortunately it’s not going to go that way Trishy. That woman’s going to give you a hell of a fight and one that you had best be ready for.
Trish Stratus: Don’t worry, I am. I’ve watched her in the ring before so I know full well how she handles herself and what to expect. Not saying that it’s in the bag or anything but I can beat her.
Karen: I certainly hope so cause I’d hate to hear you afterwards if you don’t. Deacon might want to hold off on the honeymoon with as pissed off as you’d be.
Trish Stratus: Pissed or not I’m going on my honeymoon. Even if I lose I’ve got a rematch clause and you can bet your ass I’m going to take it.
Karen: I have no doubts about that. In fact I’d be feeling your forehead if you didn’t. You do have a plan on what you’re going to do tomorrow night aren’t you?
Trish Stratus: Of course I do Karen. You don’t really think I’d go in there blind do you? Maybe if I was someone like my sister I would, but I have more brains than that. I’ve got it all planned out, trust me. I might as well walk down to that ring and just hand her the title if I didn’t.
Karen: I know, I just want to make sure you’ve given this the proper amount of thought and didn’t spend all your time thinking about your wedding. I know that’s important but so is this.
Trish rolled her eyes at Karen’s lameness. She knew it was just Karen’s way of making sure that her head was where it should be but it didn’t make her any less annoyed.
Karen: Well what are you going to do if Jeanette pulls out a fast one and surprises you?
Trish Stratus: Oh you mean after I stand there looking as shocked and bewildered as everyone else? I’m going to do what I do best naturally. Nothing else to do except beat the living hell out of her and keep my precious title out her hands. I wouldn’t want to risk her actually getting a chance at getting her hands on it and getting God knows what all over it. There wouldn’t be enough disinfectant in the world to clean whatever she has off my belt.
Karen: Sure thing Trish.
Just as Karen finished speaking Trish looked up to see the seatbelt sign had come back on.
Trish Stratus Jericho: Listen Karen we’re arriving at the airport now so I’ll be at the arena in about an hour or so. I know this is a bad time to ask but my limo is out there right?
Karen: Of course.
Trish thanked Karen and quickly said her goodbyes. As she heard the dial tone coming from the other end she quickly flipped her phone closed. She stuffed back into the main section of her purse and fastened her seatbelt as the stewardess came back out.
Stewardess: Ladies and Gentlemen we are just about to land at the Heathrow Airport, please make sure you are seated and that your seatbelt is securely fastened around you. We hope that you have enjoyed your flight and will fly Virgin Atlantic in the future.
As she disappears once again behind the curtain as the plane started to descend. After a half hour it finally hit the ground sending everyone flying forward in their seats then slamming against the back seconds later. The plane coasted along the runway eventually coming to a smooth stop in front of the gate. Flight attendants gathered up front as the announcement was made for everyone to begin getting off the plane. Unfastening their seatbelts Trish and Deacon rose to their feet. Trish bent down and picked up Crystal from her seat positioning her on her hip as she followed Deacon off the plane. As usual people pointed and stared as they made their way through the terminal. Deacon headed to the baggage claim as Trish took Crystal to the waiting limo. After having a bag boy grab the bags Deacon joined his family inside the limo as the limo driver and bag boy loaded everything into the trunk. After twenty minutes everything was in the trunk. The limo shut the trunk and headed around to the front. He climbed in the driver’s seat and turned on the engine. After a couple of minutes he pulled out of the parking lot and into traffic. An hour and a half later they finally reach the arena to a large group of fans clustered at the top of the back drive. The limo driver fights through it eventually getting through and continuing on to the rear entrance door. The limo came to a stop just in front of the door. The driver got out and walked around to the back, he opened the rear door. Deacon slid out first followed by Trish and Crystal. Deacon grabbed the bags from the limo driver and followed his wife inside. Once inside Trish laid Crystal down on the floor as Deacon came in with the bags. Trish scanned the room , making sure it was decorated to her specific instructions, once she was satisfied she made her way over to the couch eager to relax a few moments before heading to the arena’s gym for some last minute training. Just as she bends her legs and starts to sit a loud knock comes from the direction of the door. Trish lets out a loud groan as she finishes lowering her small frame onto the cushions. Turning her gaze towards the door calling for whoever was out there to come in. Moments later the door slowly starts to open and Todd Grisham steps inside the room. Trish rolls her eyes in disgust as Todd makes his way across the room sitting in the chair next to the couch.
Todd Grisham: Trish, I was hoping to ask you a few questions regarding your match Jeanette Salazar tomorrow night on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Trish Stratus: Oh very well Todd.
Not wasting any time Todd raises his mic up to his lips and starts to speak.
Todd Grisham: Ladies and Gentlemen I’m standing here with WGEF Co- Owner and Raw General Manager Trish Stratus, who tomorrow night will be defending her Intercontinental Title against Jeanette Salazar in a match made by your biggest enemy, Chris Michaels. How do you feel about that?
Trish Stratus: To be honest I feel perfectly fine about it. Why should I feel any different? Because Chris booked me against someone who is one of the toughest competitors in this company and put my title on the line on top of that? I hate to burst your bubble there Todd but I don’t.
Todd Grisham: It’s no secret that Jeanette’s a tough competitor and naturally has made quite a few enemies because of that. What’s your opinion of her?
Trish Stratus: Professionally she’s one of the best athlete’s we’ve got. She’s busted her ass to get to where she is and because of that I have respect for her. Personally…I haven’t met her yet so I can’t give you an answer. From what I’ve seen of her she seems to be quite likeable, who knows maybe someday I’ll find out.
Todd Grisham: With the Intercontinental Title on the line, Jeanette’s going to be even more of a dominating force in hopes of cementing her name in WGEF histtory. Have you prepared yourself for the extra challenge?
Trish Stratus: Well of course Todd, do I have the word ‘stupid�?stamped on my forehead? I’m fully aware Jeanette’s going to be looking to get her hands on my title at all costs. That’s the point of the title after all. As much as she’s going to be trying to weaken me to make her job that much easier I’m going to be doing the same to keep her as far away as possible. Now if you don’t mind I have some training to do so kindly show your ass to the door.
Knowing that he had best leave before he was escorted out, Todd rose from his seat once again making his way across the room to the door. Pulling the door open he turned around and getting one more glare from Trish before disappearing into the hallway.