SEASON EIGHT

EPISODE 7: ONLY IN DREAMS
PART TWO

By: Elektra

 SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER. THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF THE WWF TITANPRIZE. IT'S MISSION: TO EXPLORE AND ENTERTAIN NEW SOCIETIES AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS.  TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO WRESTLER HAS GONE BEFORE!

TITANPRIZE CREW:

Captain Vince McMahon
First Officer, Commander Shane McMahon
Chief Engineer, Commander Stephanie McMahon
Chief of Chiefs, Commander Linda McMahon
Chief of Security, Commander Kane
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Taker
Diagnostics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jericho
Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Commander Austin
Transporter Chief, Lieutenant Commander Debra McMichael
Communications Officer, Lieutenant Rock
Counselor Al Snow (assisted by H.E.A.D.)

... And many more!

WWF TITANPRIZE - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

    "Captain's log, stardate 080920.00. Chief Engineer Stephanie McMahon, Lt. Commander Jericho, Ensign Jeff Hardy, Dr. Taker, Ensign Kurt Angle, and Lt. Bradshaw have beamed down to Planet Makota and have not been heard from since. We are eagerly awaiting their report on the distress signal they have found. We are unsure of their whereabouts right now and are growing increasingly concerned..." Captain McMahon sat back in his chair, "I hope my baby is all right..." he said, "End log!"

RAMADA INN - STEPHANIE'S ROOM, Saturday night

    Stephanie woke up with a start. She was still dreaming of that weird spaceship. Maybe she had a concussion... though the doctor that examined her said it was nothing but a bad bump.

    Stephanie sighed and stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow was Sunday. A big Pay-Per-View day. Kurt was fighting The Rock. She smiled. Her Kurt would soon become the main man in the WWF!

    She looked around her empty hotel room. Kurt believed it to be improper to share a bed before sharing marriage vows - not that he had asked... yet. Sometimes Stephanie wished he wasn't so prim and proper. But then, that's why she loved him...

    Stephanie turned on her side... yes... she loved Kurt... didn't she?

    "Skankanie? Hey... Skankanie!! Wake up!"

    Stephanie sat up quickly. What was that?

    "There's no response. She's lost in her own little world..."

    "Can't you wake her up, Taker?" the first voice again.

    "Who's there?!" Stephanie gasped.

    Silence.

    Stephanie shook her head, and lay back down. She closed her eyes.... and a bright light almost blinded her.

    "Wait! Is she coming to?"

    Stephanie's eyes shot open, and she was greeted by the drab hotel room again. She really didn't feel like sleeping after all.

    Stephanie reached over and grabbed the phone on the night table beside her. She dialed a room number, wondering who she'd reach. "Yo, what up?" came the voice on the other line.

    Stephanie took a moment to register who had answered. That Carolinian accent sounded familiar, "Jeff?" She asked.

    "Who is this?" Jeff asked.

    "It's Stephanie!" she replied.

    "Miss McMahon?" came Jeff's surprised response, "How can I help you, ma'am?"

    "Brown-noser..." a voice snickered in the background. Was that Matt?

    "Hey, shut up, man! She's our boss, ok!" Jeff replied to the voice. He brought his attention back to Stephanie, "Sorry, ma'am. Is there something you wanted?"

    "I reached YOUR room?" she asked.

    "Well, me and Matt's room, yeah. Right now Jericho, Lita, Edge and Christian are here too. Did you want to talk to any of them?" he paused, "Well, I know you don't wanna talk to Jericho... but I mean anyone else?"

    "Hey! Who dares me to jump out of this totally awesome window into the snowbank? It'll be snow-alicious!" Came Edge's voice in the background.

     "Don't be a bonehead!" Jeff replied to Edge, "Now shush! The boss is on the phone! Sorry Miss McMahon..."

    "Hey, Jeff! Those pants are SO not cool!" Came Christian's voice.

    "Yeah, like you dress any better!" Jeff replied, his voice muffled as he tried to cover the mouthpiece.

    "Well, yeah, dude... I DO! Didn't you see the cover of Tiger Beat? I was like, number one in fashion!"

    Stephanie smiled, "Sounds like you guys are having fun. Mind if I join you?"

    Jeff paused, surprised at her request, "Well... don't you and Kurt have a date or something, Miss McMahon?" Jeff asked.

    "I don't know where Kurt is..." she said, though she DID know. He had told her he was going to go work out in the hotel gym.

    "Well, sure you can come... but... uh... like I said, Jericho is here too," Jeff replied, "And I know you don't like him too much..."

    "Well, I don't want to just sit here in my hotel room," she said.

    "Um. Ok. But we're just goofing around here, Miss McMahon. I didn't think you would be all that interested in it..."

    "I like goofing around," Stephanie replied, "I'll be there in two minutes!" with that, she cradled the phone and headed out.

HARDY'S HOTEL ROOM

    "Stephanie is coming here?" Jericho asked, "Since WHEN does she hang out with YOU guys?"

    "I dunno," Jeff replied. "It was a weird conversation... like she was talking as if I were her friend or something..." he shrugged.

    "Well, she sure knows how to ruin a party..." Jericho muttered, "Maybe I should leave..."

    "No! We'd rather YOU stay then HER," Lita replied. "If you scare her away, so much the better!"

    "Hey, she's the boss, Lita..." Jeff replied.

    "Boss's DAUGHTER!" Lita corrected.

    "Same dif..." Jeff answered.

    Just then, the door opened, and Stephanie walked in. "Hi guys!" she smiled. She looked at the group, who stared back at her. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable... as if she didn't know any of these people.  But talking to Jeff on the phone, she felt for a moment they were friends...

    Right now, their expressions echoed the confusion she felt. Why on Earth did she think her and these young wrestlers were close? Come to think of it, she never really DID have much contact with the Hardys outside of the arena. And the way that Lita was staring at her -- it was as if she was the devil! "Uh... hmm... well... isn't this cozy..." she said, and sat down on a nearby bed. The same bed Jericho was sitting on. Jericho glared daggers at her.

    An uncomfortable silence fell over the room.

    Suddenly, the phone rang. Jeff picked it up, "Yo, what up?" There was a pause, "For you, Miss McMahon. It's Kurt..."

    Stephanie took the phone, "Hello?" she smiled.

    "Steph, this Joe guy told me you were hanging out with the Hardys... and that horrible Jericho!" Angle started.

    "Well... uh..." Stephanie started. She didn't know WHY... but right now, she seemed to prefer these guys to Kurt. But Kurt was her boyfriend! How could she prefer guys she hadn't said more then two words to over Kurt?!

    "Man... Steph... wake up! Come on!!"

    Stephanie turned to Jeff, "Wake up?" she asked him.

    Jeff looked at her, confused. "Huh?"

    "You just told me to wake up!" Stephanie replied.

    "I didn't say anything, Miss McMahon..." Jeff replied.

    Stephanie shook her head, then turned back to the phone, "I'm sorry, Kurt... but I have to go. I think I'm going to return to my room... I ... I need sleep..." she said, and cradled the phone as she stood up.

    "I'll hack into the computer and get Stephanie! YOU guys beam back aboard the Titanprize and tell McMahon what's going on here. I've got to get Steph out before the Makotan's come back!"

    "Lt. Commander Jericho, sir, I must protest..."

    "I'M the superior officer while Skankanie is out in la la land, Angle! I just gave you a direct order! Now get your olympic ass back to the Titanprize and do what you're told!"

    Stephanie froze and looked at Jericho, "Skankanie?" she asked. "Titanprize?"

    "What?" Jericho asked.

    "You just called me Skankanie, and said something about the Titanprize!"

    Jericho looked at the others. They seemed as confused as he was. He turned back to Stephanie, "Maybe you should go back to your room," he said.

    Stephanie blinked, "But... you just called me Skankanie! I HEARD you!"

    Jericho shook his head, "My problems with you were over when you dumped Triple H, Stephanie. I'd get my ass fired by your daddy if I started name calling again. As for that whole Titanprize thing..." he shrugged, "NO idea."

    "You hate me, don't you?" Stephanie gasped.

     "Honestly, I'm too busy trying to kick Benoit's ass to bother with you anymore, Stephanie," Jericho said.

    "But..." Stephanie started... BUT... she WANTED him to bother with her! Stephanie put her hand on the doorknob, "I think... I think I'll go now..."

    "Bye, Miss McMahon..." Jeff replied.

    Stephanie looked once more at the group in the room. They were sitting on the floor and beds, staring at her... waiting for her to leave.  "Right... bye..." she said, and walked out.

    The moment she stepped into the hall, she could hear chatter and laughing from the room she had just left.

    Well, they weren't really her friends... so why did she even THINK Lita, the Hardys, and Jericho were more then mere co-workers?

RAMADA INN - HALLWAY

    "Skankanie..." a voice called out. Stephanie spun around in the hallway. Jericho stood a few feet away. He was dressed in a black tank top and black leather pants, his hair tied back in a tight braid.

    Stephanie blinked. He hadn't looked like that when she had left the room! How did he end up in the hallway so fast? She had just stepped out ten seconds ago!

    "I thought you said the name calling was over?" she said.

    He furrowed his brow, "Our name calling will never be over, Princess..." he replied, then smiled smugly, "I enjoy it far too much!"

    Stephanie looked down at herself. She was wearing a black leather trenchcoat that was far too big for her... funny... she didn't remember putting it on... and the leather skirt she was wearing had a rip in the seams! And... the halter top? Where did THAT come from?

    "Come on, I've got to get you out of here," Jericho said.

    "Out of where?" she asked.

    "Out of this dream world you're trapped in!" he replied.  "I've hacked into the Makotan computer currently trapping you in this... PLACE..." Jericho said, "You have to take my hand, Stephanie. Take it and wake up! We're going back to the Titanprize!"

    Stephanie shook her head, "What are you talking about?" she asked, "I'm Stephanie McMahon, daughter of Vincent K. McMahon, Jr., the owner of the World Wrestling Federation! I don't know anything about computers... or... the Titanprize! It was just a dream I had... after YOU knocked me unconscious in the ring during a match with my boyfriend!"

    "You are Chief Engineer, Commander Stephanie McMahon - daughter of Captain Vincent K. McMahon Jr. - aboard the WWF Titanprize!" he paused, "Wait a sec... did you say you had a boyfriend?"

    "Kurt Angle!" Stephanie replied proudly, then frowned, "And if I do recall, you were just giving me the evil eye in Jeff Hardy's room a few minutes ago! How did you change your clothes and get out here so fast?" she demanded.

    Suddenly, a black shotgun appeared in Jericho's hand. He raised it up, and fired at something behind Stephanie.

    Stephanie spun around to see a bearded man in leather lying on the ground. Her eyes went wide as the body quickly disappeared, "Damnit!! They came back too soon!" Jericho said.

    She turned back to Jericho, frantic,  "What happened? You just killed someone, didn't you?!" she gasped, then began to back away, "Is this because you lost the number one contender spot for the belt? Is that it?" she was shaking now, "God... you're crazy! No... you're FIRED! And I'm calling the police!"

    Without a word, Jericho lunged at Stephanie, tossing her to the ground just as a bullet flew into the wall she had been standing in front of, "Those BULLETS are real, Stephanie!" Jericho snapped, "This hotel is NOT real! This... LIFE you think you're leading is NOT real! They know I hacked in! They're trying to get rid of BOTH of us! Just LISTEN to me! We have to get out of here!"

    Stephanie was crying now, "Kurt!" she screamed, "KURT! Help me!!"

    "Kurt can't even stick up to Dr. Taker, let alone a group of pissed-off Makotans!" Jericho replied.

    "Kurt loves me! He'll help me! He's even talked about marrying me!"

    Lt. Commander Jericho looked at her, then burst out laughing. Even without an emotion chip.... he couldn't help it. Jericho jumped to his feet gracefully, and pulled Stephanie up.  "When you wake up, I really hope you forget you ever said that! I can just imagine the nightmares you'd have about being married to the Olympic dork!"

    The door to the Hardys' hotel room opened, and out came.... Jericho?

    "What the...?" the Y2J Unit gasped.

    Jericho ran at the WrestleFleet officer, and clotheslined him, "You shouldn't have come here!" he said.

    Stephanie stared at Jericho, confused, "Chris! You saved me?" she asked.

    The Jericho Stephanie recognized quickly grabbed her from behind. Stephanie screamed.

    "NONE of you should have come here! We don't like visitors!" the human Jericho said.

    The Y2J Unit quickly lifted his gun, and aimed at his double, "Let her go!" he said. "Use the move I taught you, Stephanie... when your opponent has you from behind, what do you do?" he asked, still training his gun on the other Jericho.

    Suddenly a memory came to Stephanie.  She reached back, and hit her attacker in the temple with an elbow.  He let out a painful shout and quickly let go of her.

    The other wrestlers that had been slumming in the Hardys' hotel room came out. Edge, Christian, Jeff, Matt, and Lita.

    "Damn... my hair can't be THAT bad, can it?" another voice said. "And what kind of shirt am I wearing?"

    Stephanie turned to see... ANOTHER Jeff? This one wearing a black leather jacket.

    The first Jeff turned to the one mocking him, "We don't like outsiders!" he said, and speared the second Jeff.

    Stephanie leaned up against the wall, overwhelmed. What the hell was going on?

    Three more shots rang out. Stephanie gasped, and turned to see a leather-clad Bradshaw and Undertaker with smoking shot guns.

    Edge, Christian, and Matt now lay unmoving in the hallway.

    Stephanie screamed.... then the bodies faded away just like the first one had.

    "Hey... you shot my brother!" the leather-clad Jeff said, then smiled, "I've actually wanted to do that myself a few times!" he then held his shotgun to the ribs of his double, and fired. The body collapsed, and disappeared as well. "Poor poor guy. He truly was a fashion victim!" Jeff said.

    "I wouldn't be talking about HIM being a fashion victim, Jeff. The Makotans molded him after YOUR personality and fashion sense!" The Y2J Unit said, then turned to his double, "Now as for YOU..." he fired. The double fell, and disappeared, "You may LOOK like me, jerky... but no copy can eeeeeeeever live up to the perfection that is Y2J!"

    Jeff snickered, but his laughter didn't last long as Lita grabbed him, and threw him to the ground, "Woah..." Jeff said.

    "Hey, haven't you always wanted the REAL Lita to do that, Jeff?" Jericho asked.

    "Don't give me any ideas right now, Chris... THIS Lita is trying to kill me!" Jeff said, and jumped to his feet. Lita threw a punch, "YIKES!" Jeff gasped, and ducked it.

    "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Stephanie shouted.

    Lita stopped attacking Jeff, and turned to Stephanie, "You die now!" she hissed, and lunged at her. She pinned Stephanie to the ground, and began choking the female McMahon.

    Someone quickly grabbed Lita off Stephanie, and tossed her against the wall, knocking the woman unconscious. Lita soon disappeared.

    Stephanie looked up to see who had saved her... "KURT!" she cried, and jumped to her feet. She threw her arms around him, "I'm so glad you're here!" She snuggled into him, resting her head on his shoulders.

    "Uh, Commander?" Angle started, "This is highly inappropriate for a WrestleFleet officer of your rank..." he said, but that didn't stop him from wrapping his arms around her. Hey... if she was willing...

    "I REALLY hope she remembers this when we finally get her out of here..." Jeff smiled, "Can you imagine how much fun I'll have teasing her about it?"

    Lt. Commander Jericho didn't seem amused. In fact... Jeff thought he looked downright pissed!

    The Y2J Unit waited a moment, then finally spoke, "Oh for heaven's sake!" he said, and pulled Stephanie away from Angle, who seemed to be sporting a rather unsettling smirk as he eyed the Chief Engineer. Jericho frowned at Kurt, wondering exactly how much integrity the Ensign had. The Y2J Unit turned his attention back to Stephanie,  "Do you even KNOW who you're playing snugglies with, Steph? WAKE UP already... BEFORE you jump Kirk's olympic bones and REALLY embarrass yourself!"

    Stephanie turned to face him, "How DARE you pull me away from my man! How DARE you!" She reached up to slap Jericho, but he stopped her hand before it connected. The Y2J Unit then grabbed her... and kissed her.

    Stephanie struggled in his grasp as the hallway began fading ... the floor beneath began disappearing... the pain in her head became blinding.

    Suddenly, Stephanie felt herself spinning uncontrollably... then let out a painful scream as her world was torn apart.

PLANET MAKOTA - CONTROL ROOM

    Stephanie bolted upright on the table, blinking back the bright light that assaulted her eyes. Her head hurt. "What the...?"

    "Finally the princess wakes up!" a voice said. Stephanie's eyes focused to see the Y2J Unit sitting on a table across from her wearing the same outfit he had been wearing when they had landed on the planet. Wires leading from his head and arms were plugged into panels along the shiny silver walls. "Do you know how HARD it was for me to pull you out?" he asked.

    Stephanie looked down at herself. She was still wrapped in his trench-coat, but there were wires attached to her temple and wrists as well. She quickly pulled them away from her body, "What happened?" she asked.

    "The distress signal was a decoy," Jericho explained.  "It was a trap to lure people here. The debris was fake,"  The Y2J Unit unhooked the wires from his body, "The Makotans lure people in to experiment on them... in HERE..." he indicated the control room, "It's some sort of virtual reality computer they invented. Sort of like a holodeck without an exit..."

    "But... the Makotans looked so primitive!" Stephanie said.

    "Their primitive appearance was just a cover. A good one, obviously..." Jericho replied as he jumped off the table.

    "So... um... what happened then?" Stephanie asked.

    "We were all trapped in the computer," he said, "But Taker was the first to wake up. My positronic net brought my Walls up when it sensed the alien program invading my systems so I was able to wake up shortly after Taker. I helped him wake Jeff, Bradshaw, and Kirk after that. YOU, however, were being difficult. When the Makotans attacked us, you received a nasty little bump on your head. You were unconscious, and much deeper in your dream world then any of us were. I went in to get you, but the Makotans had guardians in their program. They attacked me, so Taker, Jeff, Angel, and Bradshaw came in to help."

    Stephanie looked around the room. Taker was busy unhooking wires from Jeff, Bradshaw, and Angle. "Oh god..." Stephanie gasped, and quickly looked away from Angle, "I HUGGED him!" she said. "I SNUGGLED with him!"

    "You remember?" Jericho asked, then looked at Ensign Hardy, "Hey Jeff... you have material to tease her with now!"

    "Right on!" Jeff replied as Dr. Taker unhooked the last of his wires.

    "DON'T encourage him!" Stephanie snapped, then her eyes went wide, "Wait... you KISSED me! UGH! How DARE you!"

    "Hey... it woke you up, didn't it?" Jericho asked, "Don't complain! It was an act of desperation, I ASSURE you!" he snapped.

    Stephanie scowled at him and hopped off the table, "Where are the Makotans now?" she asked.

    "They have their hands full with some angry test subjects. We found a LOT of people who had fallen into the same trap. We had to beam practically the entire crew of the Titanprize down to wake them up. The dreamers weren't pleased." he explained. "We've destroyed the distress signal and the fake debris. Hopefully no one else will end up as guinea pigs!"

    Stephanie took a step forward, but seemed a bit unsteady on her feet. Jericho quickly put an arm around her to support her. She didn't mind ... until she reminded herself that she hated the Y2J Unit, and quickly shoved him away.

    Ensign Angle came up to Stephanie, "Commander," he started, "About that... moment... we shared in your dream, understand that I was thinking of nothing more then the fact you were my good friend! The ... snuggling really meant nothing to me, Steph! Nothing at all!"

    "Please, Kurt... don't EVER mention that moment again!"

    "Sorry, Commander," Angle said, "I will never mention the snuggling again..."

    Stephanie winced, and put a hand to the welt on her head.

    What the Chief Engineer wouldn't give for a case of selective amnesia right about now...