Rating: PG (language)
Disclaimer: I own Lauren/Crystal. I assume Chris Jericho owns himself (or maybe his wife does ^_^). Aaron Tippin (& writers) own the song "That's As Close As I'll Get To Loving You". WWF owns everything else except the plotline *g*
Distribution: My own site—if anyone lese wants it, just please let me know so I'll know where to find it :^)
Spoilers: None, but I'm using the current timeline (as of 9/10/2001)
* * * * * * * * *
"Come on, rise and shine!" he said, raising the blinds.
The sunlight landed directly on her face and she countered by pulling up the comforter. "No."
"You want me to help?" he asked.
She pulled the blanket down enough to glare at him.
"Not a morning person, are you?" Chris asked, smirking. He already knew the answer to that.
Lauren groaned and pulled the blanket over her head once again.
"Okay, that does it..." he said.
She pulled the comforter down just in time to watch him scoop her up. "Not the shower again!"
He stopped halfway to the bathroon. "But that was fine!" he mock-whined.
"Put me down," she said, firmly.
He pouted. "You are no fun in the morning." He put her down.
"Thanks for the lift," she said, then yanked the comforter off, balled it up, and practically threw it at him.
"Our first quarrel," he said, sighed, then wiped away a non-existent tear from his eye.
Lauren stopped at the door to the bathroom and turned. She grinned. "And I haven't even *started* yet, Irvine." She entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Chris let out a real sigh, then looked down at the blanket in his arms.
"Getting your ego deflated?"
He practically jumped, then turned to find Amy standing in the adjoining room's door. "You don't like to knock, do you?"
"Hey, I knew it was safe. If it wasn't, your door would've been locked," she said.
"And what are you implying?" he asked.
"Nothing," she replied, smirking.
He frowned. "Don't tell me you believe that."
"I'm not saying anything, Chris, that's my point. Now, put some clothes on before we drag you two out for some breakfast," she said, then went back into her room and closed the door.
Lauren emerged from the bathroom, trying not to smile, but failing.
"Don't give me that look," he said.
"What look?" she asked, almost laughing.
"I've gotta change," he said, then dumped the comforter on the floor. He grabbed and pair of jeans and a Bruins jersey, then started for the bathroom. As he passed her, he stuck out his tongue.
"Real mature," she said.
He stopped at the door and smiled. "Thank you." He winked and went inside, closing the door after him.
The door to the adjoining room opened and Amy peeked in. "You two put on one hell of a show!"
Lauren sighed. "Yeah, and as a reward, I just had a *damn fine* view of his ass!"
Amy shook her head. "I cannot believe that's just a rumor."
Lauren's look sobered. "We're best friends. besides, I like joking around with him..."
'Yeah, it relieves the tension," Amy added.
"Oh, great, now we lost you, too. Is there *anyone* left who doesn't believe that?"
"Well, there's probably Stephanie..." Amy said.
"Please, no, I don't wanna hear it. I've been an official 'diva' for one week and I'm already feeling a fight with her coming on..." Lauren said.
"Because she's jealous of you," Chris said, emerging from the bathroom.
"Why's that?" Lauren asked.
"Well, isn't it obvious she wants me?" he said, grinning.
Any laughed and retreated back to her room.
"What'd I say?" he asked.
Lauren smirked, shaking her head.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, please, no Austin immitations!" she said, then paused. "Seriously though, I've been official here one week and I've already got a reputation."
"Only took me one day," he muttered, then asked, "Should I be offended?"
"No, but we should probably try and end that rumor," she suggested.
"Why? What difference will it make?" he asked.
She thought for a moment. "Other than clearing my name... not much, I guess."
"Exactly," he said.
She shook her head. "Let's go to breakfast," she said, walking towards the door.
"Score one for Y2J!" he said, happily, following her.
She groaned.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Ow!" Crystal exclaimed. "Man... payback's really are a bitch!"
"Well... that's turning a lovely shade of purple," Chris said, after taking away the ice pack from her face. "Should've known Heyman would have something up his sleeve after we gave him the 'con-chair-to'. Damn." He paused. "Maybe you can cover that with make-up."
She looked at him like he was crazy. "I don't think so." She took the ice pack from him and held it to her eye. "Ugh... atleast the room has stopped spinning."
"Wait till tomorrow," he muttered.
"What was that?" she asked.
Chris sighed. "It'll be worse in the morning, trust me."
"Yay, something to look forward to," Crystal said, then paused. "I'm gonna change. Crystal's done for tonight, it's time for Lauren to return. Hold this." She handed him the ice pack and went to change. She returned a few minutes later.
"I've been thinking..." he began.
"First that a dangerous thing for you. Second, I thought I smelled something burning. And third, I'm not going back to Winnipeg!" she said, then plopped back onto her chair.
"So much for that," he said, then pased. "Wanna go back to the hotel now?"
She looked at her watch. "It's still kinda early. Maybe we could drive around for a while."
"Alright, you win, but only because of that," Chris said, pointing at her black eye.
"Thanks for the pity," Lauren said, sarcastically.
He smiled. "You're very welcome."
* * * * * * * * * *
Chris dropped face-first onto his bed. "Three in the morning," he mumbled.
"I can't believe you fell asleep in the car," Lauren said, putting the keys on the bureau. "You only dove for the first hour."
"It's 3am, Lauren!" he said, turning his head to look at her.
"Well, I wasn't tired... and I'm still not," she said.
"Geez..." he said.
She glared at him, then turned and went into the bathroom.
Chris rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling for all of 30 seconds, then closed his eyes.
Lauren came out a few minutes later and dropped her clothes in her bag. She stuck her tongue out as she passed his bed and went to hers.