Part 1 of 3


“Hey, buddy. Good to see you. Where’s Mami,” Eddie asked David. David accepted the hug gratefully before he pulled back and frowned.

“She’s got some other stuff to do, so she’s taking some time off right now,” David hedged. They were in the locker room and David had just arrived, by himself. Eddie knew there was more to Little Mami’s absence but decided to let it slide for now. David would tell him later, when he was ready.

“You get anything to eat, Holmes,” Eddie asked. He knew his large buddy could always eat. David shrugged. It was the first time in a long time that he started his long travel week by himself. He had already made contact with Lil’ Sis because there had been an airline problem and she had fixed it almost as soon as he hung up the phone from leaving his message. He had text’d her back thx, but not much else yet.

“We got some good food tonight. Some Mexican food. You’re gonna love it,” Eddie smiled as he thought about his friend’s reaction to the spicy fare. “Just hurry up and change so I can show you some good shit.”

David nodded at the other man’s request. He knew his excuse about Lil’ Sis hadn’t fooled Eddie one bit. But he also realized Eddie wasn’t going to bug him about it either.

Many minutes later, David emerged from the locker room in search of Eddie. He saw Chris getting his ever present cup of coffee. The day was still early so he hadn’t hit his limit yet, but David knew he always drank too much of the stuff.

“Where’s Carrie,” was Chris’ greeting as he nodded in acknowledgement. David knew he’d spend half of the night answering that same question.

“She had other stuff to do this week. Not sure how long it’s supposed to take,” David said casually. Chris nodded in acceptance, but knew there was more to the story. “You see Eddie, Chris? He said he had some food for me to try today,” David said quietly. Chris couldn’t stifle his laugh in time.

“Oh yeah. He’s been laughing ever since he got here about how much he was gonna enjoy watching you eat tonight,” Chris chuckled. He threw his stir stick away as he said, “Follow me. We should be able to find him somewhere near catering.”

David fell into step with the Canadian Crippler. They passed several people that nodded at them, but then looked confused as they looked for Lil’ Sis and didn’t find her, or so David surmised.

They found Eddie at the catering tables, filling up a plate and laughing to Rey. “He’s gonna love it,” David heard Eddie say.

“I don’t know,” Rey said as he watched Eddie hide some habaneros in the burrito. He smiled as he saw David walk up. “Eddie’s fixed you a plate, Dave.”

David hugged his small buddy before he said anything else. He always hugged and back slapped, handshakes just weren’t enough for him. He traveled and trusted these men with his body and safety.

“Yeah, Eddie told me.” David eyed the plate Eddie had in his hand with distrust. He knew that Eddie liked to play jokes, and he was several down so this might be another one.

“Have a seat,” Latino Heat said. He was trying very hard not to smirk. He didn’t think his big friend would be able to take what he’d filled his plate with. David sat at the place indicated, he was willing to let Eddie yank his chain, he’d pranked him enough recently.

“You gonna tell me what this is first,” David asked as he eyed the plate covered in beans, rice and things that he wasn’t sure what the hell they were.

“Sure,” Eddie grinned. “This,” he pointed to a large lump on the plate, “is a burrito!” He said it with such gusto, David paused his fork from taking a piece.

“A burrito,” David questioned.

“No, no. Not a burrito,” Eddie said the word in perfect flat gringo pronunciation as he shook his head in disgust. “It’s a burrito,” he said as he rolled the r’s with a smile.

“That’s what I said, a burrito,” David said again, keeping the r’s flat. Eddie shook his head.

“Give me that,” Eddie said as he reached for David’s fork. “You can’t have a taste until you learn how to say it, Holmes.” At David’s confused look, he continued, aware of Rey’s widening grin.

“You have to say it like you love it,” Eddie tried to explain. At David’s confusion, he tried again. “Burrito,” Eddie said as he rolled the r’s again. David nodded in understanding and tried it.

“Burrito,” he said, still flattening his r’s.

Eddie reached across the table and grabbed David’s jaw. The palm of his hand was under his chin, letting his fingers have access to his cheeks. David frowned at his friend’s action but didn’t fight it. He could see Eddie was having too good a time screwing with him.

“Try again, Holmes,” Eddie said.

David frowned in concentration and said,” Burrito.” As he opened his mouth to speak, Eddie closed it.

“You have to roll your tongue buddy and not open you mouth so much. I know you know how to roll your tongue. Your wife’s too happy,” Eddie smirked.

Rey and Chris both chuckled at that comment. David managed to almost stop his blush at his friend's words.

"Try again and think about making your wife very happy as you say it," Eddie grinned. David nodded and smiled at the request.

"Burrito," he said slowly with almost rolled an r.

"Oh ese, you are so damn close. We're gonna make an honorary Mexican out of you yet. Think of that pretty blonde lady and try again," Eddie said. The other two men didn't bother to hide their smirks at the pronunciation instruction.

"This shit is going to be cold before you let me try any of it," David grumbled. At his friend's stern look, he stopped himself from rolling his eyes and tried again. "Burrito," he said as he rolled his r’s to Eddie’s satisfaction.

"See! I told you it wasn't so hard. Rey, didn't I say that our boy here could speak correctly if he tried," Eddie asked Rey in all seriousness, except the smile in his eyes.

"Tell me what it is that you were just going to dig your fork into again," Eddie asked eagerly. David paused his fork with a smile for the men around the table.

"Burrito!"

"Exactly! Now try it and tell me what you think," Eddie asked.

He managed to keep his expression blank as he watched David put the fork in his mouth and wait. David chewed it slowly and smiled. Eddie tried to hide his small frown at that.

"You like it Holmes," Eddie asked.

"Oh yeah buddy. This burrito is good shit," David raved as he pronounced the food item to Eddie's satisfaction.

"Good, good. Try some of the other stuff and let me know," Eddie asked but he didn't look as sure of himself as he did earlier.

Chris was hiding his smile behind his cup. David dutifully plunged his fork in to something else on his plate and shoveled it in to his hungry mouth. David smiled again and Eddie's frown stayed this time.

"What's a matter Eddie? You missing something," Rey teased his long time friend.

"What? No, no. Everything's fine," Eddie said quietly.

"Eddie, thanks for making me this plate. This stuff is great," David said in between mouthfuls.

"Hey Holmes, tell me what my last name is," Eddie asked, hoping to remind his large friend to pronounce the r's correctly.

The group of men were unaware that their entire meal was observed by one of the writers. What he saw made him smile as his brain ran through several different scenarios that he could use. It was so much easier for everyone, if the talent wasn’t asked to stray too far from themselves. He tried to make it easy for them, but it was damn difficult sometimes, but when a gem of a scene like what he’d just witnessed is dropped into your lap you smile and say thank you and use it. Perfect, he thought as he walked away thinking of ways to incorporate the backstage antics into the current storyline.

***

Cold hard bitch
Just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees
I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch
She was shakin' her hips
And I that was all that I need
I'm waiting give me
Cold hard bitch
Just a kiss on the lips
And I was on my knees
Cold Hard Bitch - Jet


He knew he was dreaming, he knew it. He was remembering their time making love under the stars, and watching her ride him. Oh God, this was a good fucking dream. He could feel her riding his cock, he could feel himself get close to losing it. He felt her slide up and reach to stroke his chest. Oh God, he hadn’t had a dream this vivid since school. Oh God, he was going to fucking come, all because of this awesome dream. Oh God. He struggled to wake up, he didn’t want to, but he needed to. Oh, no. He was gonna blow, he thought as he opened his eyes. He thought he was still dreaming, but what he saw didn’t make sense with his dream. What was she doing in his dream? Oh fuck, he was still gonna…Oh no, it wasn’t a dream. Oh no, he was going to come for her. Oh no, not her. He groaned as he felt himself come inside her. He tried to stop but he couldn’t. His body betrayed him. Oh God, what the hell happened? His sleep drugged brain tried to figure out as he stared at the blonde sitting on his cock, proudly.

She smiled at him, looking at her possession of him as proof of their love and her rightfulness by his side. She smiled as she leaned down and tried to kiss him. He stopped her with a hand in front of his face, not wanting to have anything to do with her. He wasn’t fully awake, but he was thoroughly disgusted and ashamed of himself. How the hell did that happen, he worried. He sat up and grabbed her hips and lifted her off of him. He didn’t know how the hell it happened. He came home and went to bed last night, relieved that she was staying elsewhere. He got out of bed and pulled on yesterday’s clothes since they were closest. He felt himself choke back bile as he realized what he had just done. He left her without saying a word, he grabbed his keys to his truck and left. She knew he’d come back home eventually and when he did, she’d prove to him and she did. She watched him go from their bed with a smile, knowing she still owned him.

He drove off without any real direction. He didn’t know where to go, what to do. He was so ashamed, how could he have let her do that, and how could he have enjoyed it enough to do that? Oh God, what a fucking asshole he was. He felt himself start to get angry and knew he needed to find a place to pull over before he hurt someone. Oh my God, how could he? He didn’t understand how he could have thought she was a dream. How fucking stupid. He wanted to take a shower. He needed to take a shower, where could he go that was safe, he wondered. Screw it, he was close, he’d just drop in on his parents. He just wanted to take a shower then crawl in a hole.

His parents were happy to see him, but surprised by his strange request until he said, “Lisa’s at my house.”

His mom nodded her understanding and left him to it. She knew there was something going on, but thought better of pushing him in his current state. After a twenty minute shower, he didn’t feel any cleaner but the water was starting to cool, so he knew he’d better get out and dry off. He didn’t feel up to answering any of his parents’ questions, but knew they’d want to know that he was okay and was he staying for dinner. He thought about that as he put his clothes back on. Was he okay? He didn’t look any different, but he knew and he felt dirty, dirty and disgusted. How could he let her do that, he asked himself for the thousandth time. Would other people be able to tell, would his mom? That was a big worry. He knew that he should stay for dinner so his folks didn’t worry. How was he going to sit and have dinner table conversation after what happened? He wasn’t sure how but knew he better. He took a deep breath as he went out and talked to his parents, letting them know he’d be happy to stay for dinner.

***

He knew he was lucky. He loved the woman that was sitting on his lap, gently stroking his arm. They were both facing the pool, with their legs in the water. He kissed her shoulder and she reached up and stroked the back of his head. That left her breast open for his gentle touch.

“Yes,” she whispered to him.

He stayed silent, enjoying her touches and enjoying the feel of her in his arms. He was quickly becoming aroused and ready for her. It never ceased to amaze him that she could still set his blood on fire, sometimes with just a look. He stopped long enough to pull his shirt off. He continued his ministrations on her neck and shoulders, knowing that it drove her wild.

“You’re bad, honey,” she scolded him without malice.

“Yeah, I know. You want to punish me for it,” he said into her hair with a naughty grin.

She didn’t respond verbally, but she did stand up and slipped out of her shorts and shirt and came back to his lap.

“Kids,” he asked her.

“Lissa is sleeping, last I knew, so was Liz. I think Mikie is plugged into his computer,” she said quietly.

He stroked her back slowly at the welcome news. She slipped off his lap and dropped into the pool. She turned and looked at him expectantly. She’s beautiful, just standing in waist high water waiting for him, he thought to himself. He knew how lucky he was. He quickly stripped off his shorts and joined her in the pool. She kissed him and swam away to the deep end, beckoning him to follow. Just watching her and knowing she was naked in the pool for him was enough to get his pulse pounding. She stopped underneath the diving board and reached up to hold herself above water. He came up from swimming underwater to her and smiled at the view she gave him. He lightly touched her intimately as he rose to the surface, eliciting a small spasm from her. He smiled at her, knowing that she was as ready as he was. He reached up and anchored himself, freeing her to let go and wrap her legs around him. She leaned into him and softly bit his neck.

“Not fair,” he growled quietly.

His free hand cupped her ass. She smiled at him and kissed him deeply. He shifted his grip on the board slightly, and guided himself into her slowly. She groaned as he filled her and bit his neck again.

“You’re going to make me crazy, if you keep that up,” he said to her.

She smiled at him, knowing that was what they both wanted. He kissed her and shifted her so he could ease himself in and out of her with out drowning them both. He started slow and tender. She had her fingers laced behind his head and kissed him to encourage and distract him, and let him know she liked what he was doing. She liked it a lot. He sped up his tempo, just a little. She leaned away from him and arched her back, with her fingers still laced behind his head. The change in angle and the beautiful view she presented him was too much, too beautiful…

Liz woke up to Lissa crying. She didn’t know where her parents were, but knew they wouldn’t just leave Lissa sleeping without telling someone. She went to go tend to Lissa, and find out why she was crying. She passed her parents window, over looking the pool and saw her parents on the edge of the pool. She saw her mom stand up and strip out of her clothes and knew what they were going to do. Her parents had sex more often than any of her friend’s parents, even though her dad was gone all the time. She had seen them many times, when they didn’t think anyone was awake or watching. She wasn’t embarrassed by what she saw. Her parents loved each other and had no problems showing it. She did wonder if everyone else’s parents had sex as often as they did. Her friends acted like their parents never had sex at all. Maybe that was why they weren’t happy, she told them. The way her mom and dad were with each other let her know what to look forward to and expect from her husband, when she decided to get one for herself, she thought. She waited until they were finished before she went downstairs with Lissa in her arms. They were still in the pool, just relaxing and swimming, totally naked and unembarrassed.

“Lissa woke up,“ she said to her mom. Her mom focused on her and shook her head.

“Sorry honey. Did she wake you” she asked her oldest daughter. She was rewarded by a head shake.

“It must be getting close to dinner time, don’t you think,” she asked her husband as he floated in the deep end.

Liz knew why he stayed in the deep end when he was naked. It was dumb because she had seen him without clothes millions of times.

“Yeah. I think so. What were we doing for dinner anyway,” he asked her. She smiled before she answered.

“You were taking us all out tonight,” she said.

His expression showed his surprise at the news, but he didn’t say anything. Kris stepped out of the pool using the steps and reached for a towel.

“Thanks sweetie. Sorry to have her wake you,” she said quietly as she reached for her youngest daughter.

She knew her daughter better than Liz thought. David watched the ladies in his family from the deep end of the pool. He was filled with pride and contentment at his girls. He knew he was a lucky man.

***

Mike had been spending a lot of time at the gym the last few days, abusing himself more than normal, trying to empty his mind from worry. Today he knew he needed to get serious about his workout. He had a lot of shit that he needed to think about and that bitch Lisa was just a small part of it. He was still thinking back on the conversation he’d had with his mom, after his shower.

“Honey, what’s wrong? Can I help,” she asked her grown son as he towered over her.

“I don’t think so, Ma. I’m just all fucked up,” he answered as he looked at the top of her head.

It reminded him of Carrie and how he always seemed to be talking to the top of her head, too. She smiled at him gently and shook her head. He was the least fucked up of her three children from her perspective. She took his hand and guided him to sit down on the couch.

“Honey, it’s not that bad. Everybody fights. Your father and I fight, as you know. The world won’t stop tomorrow if you don’t see her for a day or two,” she explained. She folded her hands over her denim clad legs and waited. She didn't have long to wait as she watched her eldest scrunch up his face like he'd always done since he was a little boy and was confused about something.

“Ma, it’s not just that. She ran away, she isn’t in contact with anyone except some ex boyfriends. I don’t get it. I’ve tried everything I can think of and she still won’t talk to me,” he said as he rubbed his hands across his face.

“At least you know she’s safe. Has Kris spoken to her at all,” she asked him. She knew there was more to it and maybe he'd stumble onto it as they talked it out.

“No, not last I knew and that is worrying me. I’m worried that I pushed her away, pushed her away from me, pushed her away from her family, her home, shit, just everything,” he ranted as he threw his hands in the air.

“Every wonder why she has stayed in contact with those men? I don’t mean now, but through the years? Many people totally shut out their past partners and friends,” she stated.

“I don’t know Ma. I just can’t get past the fact that she’d rather talk to them than me,” he said.

“Mike, that’s part of your problem, honey,” Val said as he frowned at her, not understanding what the hell she meant.

“Okay, as I understand it, you two have known each other for years, but only casually, correct?” He nodded.

“My guess is that all this stuff, you and your relationship, are still very new and you’re still learning each other. You’ve told me before that she is very private, very difficult to read, correct?”

He still didn’t understand where she was going, but he nodded.

“I think you fell in love with her so fast that you are still getting to know one another, still trying to figure out how to talk to one another.” She reached for his hands and smiled into his blue eyes. “When was the last time you two just sat quietly and had any kind of conversation, not related to food or work?”

He thought about that for a minute and realized she had a point. If they had talked he would have learned long ago she was left handed, for instance. It was just that he felt so good around her that he didn't feel the need to waste his breath with small talk. Shit, he had forgotten how to have a polite casual or intimate conversation about anything but work or food, he realized. Val stayed quiet and watched her son think about her words for a while.

“Honey, I also think you scare her,” Val directed at her oldest son. He started to say something but she stopped him with a look.

“You don’t do anything half way. You don’t work half way, you don’t play half way and you sure don’t love half way. You’ve put her on such a high pedestal that she’s scared she’s going to disappoint you, don’t you see,” she asked him.

He sat and thought about that some more. His mom was usually right on this type of shit. She’d been right on the money about Lisa, he just didn’t want to hear it, for a long time.

“So why the hell is she still talking to her ex’s instead of me,” he asked his mom. He didn’t see how that fit with what she was saying.

“Because they’re safe, honey. They don’t expect anything from her, they’ve probably seen her at her worst. And I’m guessing they know how to talk to her, probably through lots of practice. Mike, you’ve been out of practice for years, you didn’t talk with Lisa. Honey, falling in love is easy, staying in love and choosing to love is something different. You’ve got the easy part down, now it’s time for the real work to begin,” she smiled at him. She could see he was confused now, but knew her words wouldn’t be wasted.

top

end

Part 2 of 3


“Dave?” he asked the voice on the phone.

“Yeah, bud, what’s up?”

“You okay if I crash in your room tomorrow night,” Mike asked his buddy.

“Sure, you know you don’t have to ask. But why are you coming all the way out here?”

“I got brave and called him. I asked him if I could talk to him about her, try to understand her better. Maybe so I don’t make her run away again. Also to help me think where she might have gone,” Mike said honestly.

That was the hardest phone call he’d had to make. ‘Taker was wary at first until he realized he just wanted to know how to help her.

“Oh, okay. Yeah, a taping is the best place to catch him. He agreed to talk to you,” David asked his friend, amazed by the thought. He had given Mike the number, not thinking that he would call or that 'Taker would agree to see him. He was wrong on both accounts.

“I know, kinda surprising, isn’t it? I’m guessing he’s worried about her too,” Mike said. “I did forget to ask him to leave me a pass, think you could do that for me,” he chuckled at his own stupidity. He knew it was because he was nervous when he called and talked to her longtime ex boyfriend.

“Sure. When you flying in,” David asked his buddy.

“Should be landing about mid day, if they’re on schedule. Carrie hates them and won’t fly them because they are always late, as she says,” Mike explained.

“Oh shit, them. I could almost recite her word for word. We all know how she feels about them. How’re you getting to the hotel and arena,” David asked.

“Taxi to the hotel, then depending on the time, catching a ride with you to the arena,” Mike explained, hoping he’d be able to catch a ride.

“Yeah, my afternoon is pretty clear. I’ll be at the gym for a bit, but other than that, should be easy. I’ll let them know of the addition to my room, so you can get a key, just in case,” he laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, let’s hope she’s not right about them tomorrow,” Mike said.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow and looking forward to beating the shit out of you again, by the way,” he teased him.

“Shit head. We’ll see about that,” Mike said in reference to their long standing tradition of playing poker on the road.

Mike wasn’t that late arriving, just half and hour or so. He arrived at the hotel before Dave was back from the gym. It gave him time to check in and think about tonight. He didn’t want to screw anything up, but he didn’t know what to ask. He was still stunned that ‘Taker had agreed to talk to him. Since he knew his buddy would probably beat his ass later tonight and liberate most of his money, he decided to order room service so he didn’t have to try and grab some food at the arena. He remembered it was always a little irritating when you didn’t eat before and the catering turned out to be shit. He jumped in the shower to try to help ease some of the worry of tonight. He stepped out of the bathroom to David walking in the room.

“Glad you made yourself comfortable, bud,” David teased him as he slapped him on the back.

“Wait, it gets better,” Mike said with a grin. “I ordered room service and put it on your bill,” he chuckled.

“Asshole,” David smiled at him. “Did you at least order enough for both of us,” he asked just as he was stepping in the bathroom to take a shower.

“Oh yeah, and it was expensive too,” he smirked. David just shook his head and climbed in the shower.

The two friends were laughing as they walked up to the security barriers at the arena. Security demanded to see Mike’s pass. David waited for him to come back because he knew the arena was a little rabbit warren, lots of tunnels and easy to get lost in.

“Hey, did I tell you that you look bigger. What the hell you been doing man,” David asked his long time friend.

“My mom’s been feeding me and I’ve been beating the shit out of myself at the gym. So if I am bigger, it’s not on purpose, but cool,” Mike replied with a smile.

David watched the other workers watch them walk by, some of them guessing wrongly that Mike was there as new talent. He saw a few were not happy at that prospect. He was glad he didn’t have to face his friend, he knew how strong he was. He saw a familiar face and waved him over.

“Hey Benoit, this is my buddy Mike. I’m not sure you’ve met him before. He takes care of all the shit that Carrie doesn’t,” he said briefly.

Chris smiled at that odd claim and held out his hand, “Good to meet you Mike. You just visiting tonight,” he asked him. His other hand was filled with his ever present cup of coffee.

“Yeah. I love to watch you work, man. You’re awesome,” Mike said. Chris smiled his appreciation of the compliment and said they’d probably meet up later.

“Oh yeah, it’s a poker night and Mike’s gonna end up buying,“ David told him.

“Asshole. Maybe I’ve been practicing or something? Okay, probably not. Do you know if he’s here yet,” he asked David as Chris nodded and walked away.

“He’s usually here early, even though he doesn’t have to be,” he told him, thinking back to his own rookie mistake. He had made a bet with a veteran, thinking that all veterans got to the arena as late as possible. Little did he know that particular veteran liked to arrive early. He did and David lost the bet. It was a lesson well learned.

“Can we grab some water before? I know I’m gonna need something,” he told his buddy ruefully.

“No need. He has all that shit in his room. Yeah, he still has his own room so you’ll have as much privacy as you need,” he said. He looked over to his friend and saw him pale at that prospect.

“He won’t beat your ass, if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s just about the nicest guy here, but don’t tell him that and don’t tell him I told you.”

“I just don’t want to mess up. I think I already did with her, I don’t want her friends pissed at me too,” Mike explained.

David shook his head at his buddy, knowing he didn’t give himself enough credit. David pointed out the main locker room, letting Mike know that’s where he’d be if he needed him. They walked a little further and found a door with a sign on it indicating it was his room.

“I’m not sure of tonight’s schedule yet, so I don’t know when I’m free, but I’ll see you in a while. Relax buddy, he’s already agreed to see you, that was the tough part,” he said as he patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Mike stood outside his door for a few minutes, having a major mental freak out. From the outside he was calm, but inside he was stressing and imagining all the bad things he could do or say. He finally got his nerve and knocked on the door and was rewarded by a deep voice saying, “Yeah?”

“It’s Mike Adams. Can I come in,” he asked.

There was a pause for a few heartbeats and Mike thought he was going to be sick as he waited, but then he heard, “Yeah.”

Mike opened the door and saw the big man tucking in his shirt, realizing he had been getting dressed.

“Sorry, I can come back later if now isn’t a good time,” he said. ‘Taker just looked at him and shook his head, wondering why Carrie’s boyfriend was so damn afraid of him.

“You’re fine, have a seat,” he indicated one of the couches.

Mike found the tub of water bottles and grabbed one first, then sat down. ‘Taker watched him and could see he was nervous. His reputation must still be fierce, he thought. He didn’t beat the hell out of people anymore, he rarely raised his voice anymore. It just wasn’t needed.

“What did you want to know and how is that going to help you help her,” he asked Mike bluntly. Mike took a deep breath before he said anything.

“I’m trying to understand her, understand her better because she is so damn private about so much shit that I don’t know what the fuck is going on most of the time.”

“And you’re not okay with that,” the big man guessed. Mike shook his head.

“Hell no. I want to be able to help her, but I can’t if I don’t know where the hell she’s coming from,” he said as he took a long drink from his water.

‘Taker sat quietly for several minutes, wondering where to start without betraying any long held confidences. He finally took a deep breath because he'd made a decision.

“I don’t know how much of our history she’s told you or why we broke up,” he looked at the younger man who shrugged his shoulders indicating he didn’t know shit.

‘Taker took a deep breath and stretched his lower back before he said, “We broke up because of me. Because I was a pushy bastard. I didn’t want her to be her own person. I thought I did, but I didn’t.” 'Taker finished his revelation with a glare to the other man trying to get his meaning across without betraying her.

Mike was stunned. He was worried that the other man was telling him he might be heading down the same road.

“Yeah, I see you’re making the connection. You told me she told you about her mom and shit. Did she tell you about jail? Did she tell you about that,” he asked the younger man, seeing the shock in his eyes. Mike shook his head slowly and tried to remember to blink.

“Well, a lot of it is her story to tell you if and when she’s ready but think about this for a minute. You know they charged her for attempted murder right? Did you know they were going to try her as an adult? The District Attorney at the time was on some political bandwagon and wanted to try a fifteen year old as an adult. Fifteen fucking years old. Think about that for a second. You think she’s small now? Shit, she was still barfing all the time then. One of the little beauties of the whole situation was that since she was going to be tried as an adult, they housed her with adults, for their convenience," he growled. He would always be angry about that he knew, even after all this time. "She was with adults, convicted felons, and habitual offenders for five fucking months. Makes you sick to think about, doesn’t it,” he asked the now silent and ill looking man.

Mike couldn’t speak, he could barely think. He didn’t know, he had no idea. Oh my God, just thinking about her being stuck in a jail as a child with adults who would have over powered her and harmed her. She would have been an easy target he was sure since she was so damn small. He shut his eyes to try to block out the vision that rose before his eyes.

“Is it any wonder why she’s private and closed up sometimes,” ‘Taker asked him quietly, once Mike opened his eyes.

Mike just blinked, he couldn’t even say anything yet. Oh God, was his only thought. ‘Taker watched the horror on the younger man’s face, knowing that he was just starting to understand Carrie a little better.

“You know what the saddest part of all of it was,” he asked Mike. “She said all she was worried about while she was inside was her brother. She knew her mother wasn’t finished and no one would stop her with her dad out of the picture and her gone. She kept his safety as her main focus, not her own.”

Mike was numb. He didn’t have any words to describe what he had just been told. He just couldn’t comprehend that the lady he knew had been through even more shit than he imagined.

“I knew that Wease’s testimony was what finally swayed the jury, but I didn’t know about all the rest,” Mike admitted.

‘Taker shook his head again, “But part of that was that was Wease showed up with some fresh bruises that day and they couldn’t over look that, no matter how much pressure was being put on them to try the little girl in front of them as a potential murderer.” 'Taker shut his mouth, afraid that he'd said too much already.

The silence stretched for many minutes as each man kept his thoughts private, not wanting to share them.

“Shit, I need a beer,” Mike said.

‘Taker looked at him and smiled slightly and said, “Yeah.”

“Does Dave know this shit,” he thought to ask.

“I doubt it. You told me you guys had some family meeting right? I’m betting he knows as much as you. They’re a small private family. Not like yours, Walton fucking mountain, as Carrie says,” he laughed.

Mike looked at him, “She said that? No wonder she was overwhelmed at the picnic.”

‘Taker nodded at him and said, “Yeah, she told me about some of it. I’m stunned that she agreed to go.”

Mike realized that he was just going to say that he forced her to and knew that he was heading down the same messed up road that ‘Taker had traveled with her. Oh shit.

“How do I…How can I…shit, I don’t know how to love her any differently than I have been,” he said to the other man.

“She’s told me some stuff about you and she thinks you’re a good guy, but we haven’t talked too much about the pushiness stuff yet. I wish I could tell you how to love her differently. I messed up myself. It took me a few years to finally admit it, but I see it now,” he told the worried man.

“I’m done anyway, I’m sure,” Mike said. “Fucking psycho bitch took care of that for me.”

“Do you want to be? I’m wouldn’t be too sure about that, buddy. I’ve talked to her a few times recently and she hasn’t said you’re a piece of shit or anything,” ‘Taker supplied.

“You’ve talked to her? What, like on the phone? God damn it, she won’t answer my calls or emails,” he said loudly.

“That’s because she’s not ready. Are you always this excitable,” he asked the other man with a smirk.

“What,” Mike asked instantly.

He didn’t think he was excitable. He thought he was Mister Mellow. He was always the mellow one when he was with Lisa. But then she was always wound up about something. Shit, so yeah, ‘Taker was probably right.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” he admitted to the other man.

“What does she do when you get this way,” ‘Taker asked the other man, knowing what his answer would be.

“Um, she gets quiet or tells me to leave,” Mike admitted. The other man nodded, point made.

Mike shook his head slowly and said, “I guess I need to follow Dave’s lead on this shit. He said he made sure he went to the gym and busted his ass for at least an hour a day, every damn day so he had better control of himself.”

‘Taker was surprised by that news. He thought Dave was a very mellow guy, one of the few.

“Seems to be working for him,” ‘Taker said.

“Yeah, but it took Carrie to show him,” he said.

At ‘Taker’s confused look he went on to explain how Carrie had knocked Dave out cold when he started to get out of control. The older man chuckled at the thought.

“Kind scary, isn’t it? She used to tease me all the time that she was going to kick my ass. I thought she was joking, but maybe not,” ‘Taker said.

The two men were quiet for a time. Mike got up and got another water. He didn’t know how much more time ‘Taker had before he needed to go so he thought he’d ask one last question.

“Where do I go from here? Any ideas,” he asked.

“You know more of her background so some of her actions make more sense, right,” he waited for the other man’s nod.

“I’d say just give her time, time and space. Do not push, it doesn’t work. It might work for a little while, but it doesn’t work. It will turn around and bite you in the ass,” ‘Taker told him.

Mike understood what he said. He knew he was going to have a lot of work to do if he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and he knew he did, so he just better get busy, he thought. Welcome to the hard part, he thought as he reflected back on his mom’s words.

‘Taker asked him about Carrie’s softball adventure since she didn’t describe it very well. Mike laughed as he explained her first few batting attempts and her busting his chops for making her stick her ass out. ‘Taker laughed with him at his descriptions, knowing she had a temper and didn’t like to feel uncoordinated.

“Thanks, thanks for everything. If you talk to her again soon, tell her I said hi. I’m not even asking you where she is, I’m sure you won’t tell me, so I’m trying not to push.” Mike smiled as he shook the other man’s hand.

“There’s hope for ya,” ‘Taker smiled as he shut the door behind him.
 

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end

Disclaimers and other assorted ramblings in the prologue.

Chapter 31
Part 3 of 3



After the show, David found Mike outside the locker room, looking like he had a shit load on his mind. David hadn’t seen Mike after his meeting with ‘Taker, so he didn’t know how it went. Looking at him now, it was hard to tell if Mike liked what he heard or not.

“You ready for me to kick your ass tonight,” he said to his friend. Mike looked at him and smiled as he shifted his brain back into gear.

“Sure, who else is invited to the ass kicking.” Mike asked him.

“Benoit, Orton and possibly Eddie, if he remembers,” David told him.

Mike looked at him and asked, “Not ‘Taker?”

“No, not with Orton in the same room. Not good, trust me. You remember what I told you years ago about Orton and Carrie, right,” he asked his friend. Mike started to shake his head then stopped.

“Yeah, I remember. She still doesn’t know, does she,” he asked his friend.

His friend shook his head as they walked to the rental so they could go back to their hotel and get ready to play some serious poker.

“’Taker says he’s talked to her in the last few days,” Mike said as they were leaving the arena.

“No shit? That’s good news; at least she’s not being a complete hermit,” David said.

He knew she wasn’t being a hermit since she had helped him with his schedule recently, via email. But he did as she asked and kept that contact private. He knew how excitable his buddy was, so he thought he understood her reasons. She needed time. They were both quiet on the drive back to the hotel. Each man had their own thoughts regarding Carrie and her current actions.

David’s room was elected as the poker palace for the night as the guys started to arrive. Mostly because there were two guys in the room and it was just easier. Orton arrived first with his cigar in hand and a bottle of Jack. David introduced him to Mike, not knowing if Randy had met him before or not.

“Yeah, I remember. You deal with the weird shit that Carrie doesn’t, right,” Orton asked Mike.

“Yeah, that’s one way to put it,” Mike admitted. He remembered he liked the younger man, but also knew he had a delicate ego.

There was another knock, Mike answered and was greeted by Chris with a big grin and his own bottle and cigar.

“Shit, did I forget to bring something,” he asked David.

“Don’t worry buddy, I got you covered,” he smiled as he brought out their bottle and cigars.

Mike knew he was in trouble. He wasn’t a good player, but add alcohol to the mix and he was probably as bad at poker as Carrie was at softball.

“Hey Dave, where the hell is Big Sis anyway? How come she’s not gracing us with her presence,” Randy asked his host. He had been hoping that she was traveling with him this week so he could talk to her tonight.

“She didn’t want to see your ugly face this week,” he snapped, but softened if with a grin.

“Asshole. No, really,” the Legend Killer asked.

“She has her own life. Surprising I know. She’s taking some time off right now. Don’t worry, she’ll grace you soon enough, I’m sure,” he told the younger man.

“I hope so, she’s a hell of a lot prettier than you and she sure smells better,” he said with a huge grin as he cracked open his bottle.

Mike just shook his head. It was going to be one of those kind of games. He liked Dave’s wrestling buddies, but knew they could get wild and raunchy.

“Do we wait for Eddie or should we get started or do we just want to warm up so Mike can remember the rules,” David asked the three.

Chris walked over to the sliding door that opened on to a small terrace, throwing it wide open and said, “Let’s just play.”

Beverages were poured, cigars were lit and cards were dealt . It was time to get serious about their poker. Mike looked at his hand and was trying to remember which cards were higher in value, when they were playing with wild cards. He just folded and said fuck it for the first hand. He’d watch and refresh himself as they went. David looked over at him, seeing him toss in his cards.

“All right, Mike’s out. How about you, Killer,” he asked the younger man. He indicated he was in and put his money down, Chris did the same and David the same.

As the next cards were dealt to them, Randy asked Mike, “How come you’re here tonight anyway? Are you filling in for Carrie or what?”

Mike blinked at the question. He forgot that Randy just asked shit without warning.

“Um, something like that, yeah.”

Randy accepted that answer, since he knew all the shit she did for David, all the shit she used to do for all of Evolution. Chris watched Mike’s face and knew there was a lot more going on, but refrained from comment. Next hand was dealt and Mike thought he might actually have a decent shot, so he stayed in. Turned out he was wrong. David beat them, that time. Randy called him an asshole good naturedly and Chris stayed quiet.

As the next hand was dealt, there was a knock at the door. Mike got up to answer, since he was closest. He was greeted by Eddie’s smiling face, cigar in hand and big bottle of water. All at the table shouted their greetings to the new comer.

“You in this hand,” Chris asked him.

“Oh yeah,” Eddie said with a grin as he settled in. “You bastards couldn’t wait for me? What’s up with that,” he asked them. David introduced Eddie to Mike, not sure if they knew each other or not.

Mike shook Latino Heat’s hand and said, “Good to meet you. I love what you’re doing, keep it up.”

“Oh, you can stay. You can definitely stay,” Eddie grinned.

More cards were dealt as Eddie asked, “Okay, so what shit did I miss? I know you guys got started before me, so what’d I miss?”

Chris smiled and said, “Randy thinks Carrie smells better than Dave.” They all chuckled.

“Shit, who doesn’t man,” asked Eddie as he lit his cigar. Mike took a huge gulp of his whiskey to keep himself quiet. Chris watched and said nothing.

“What, nothing else? I can’t believe you haven’t shared all the latest shit yet, whatever it is. Or at least solved world hunger or something.”

“World hunger we got covered,” Randy said. “The latest shit, we thought we’d wait until you got here. I’m sure you got some funny shit to share.”

Mike lost that hand too. Hmm, maybe he should just concentrate on drinking, he knew how to do that, he thought as he watched his money get pocketed by David.

Eddie shook his head and said, “Well….the funniest thing I can think of off the top of my head and it’s only because you brought it up involves Carrie.”

Randy and Chris smiled, David looked curious, and Mike tried to sit still and listen.

“I think it was after you guys had been here maybe a week? I’m not sure. Anyway she was backstage doing something, I don’t know. I saw her surrounded by our resident pack of wild Mexicans.” David frowned at Eddie, he’d never heard this story before.

“They were yapping at her, she didn’t understand a word, but she was being polite and smiling at them. As I got closer, I heard what they were asking her and reminded them who she traveled with and did they really want to mess with him,” he looked over at his friend and winked at him. “They decided that might not be such a good idea and they left, quickly.”

“Okay, where’s the funny part,” Chris asked him. He knew Eddie always had a punch line in every story.

“She asked me what they were talking about. I thought she’d be pissed so I didn’t want to tell her but she forced it out of me. She laughed her ass off, she asked if they honestly thought women fell for that shit. She didn’t think of herself as a rat, but they must have,” Eddie finished as he placed his bet.

“Damn it Eddie, are we going to have to beat you to get to what they were asking her,” David said.

“Oh, I don’t know. You don’t look like you’re going to take it as well as she did,” he said honestly.

“Humor me,” David growled as he looked at his cards and placed his bet.

“Okay Holmes, don’t say I didn’t warn you and don’t kill them now. They’ve probably forgotten it by now anyway. They asked her if she was interested in a gang bang,” he said to their stunned faces.

Chris was the first to recover. “She laughed about that?”

“Yeah, I know. Unbelievable. She’s something else,” Eddie said.

“Damn it Dave, we never had these problems on RAW,” Randy said to him.

David nodded, acknowledging his statement. He folded his hand and thought for a minute.

“That’s partly because there were at least four of us watching out for her all the time,” he said.

Chris spoke up, “No different here buddy. We’re just not official. I’m guessing that all of us in this room look out for her when she’s with us.”

His question was met with nods all around.

“Plus, I think you gotta add The Undertaker to that list. He watches out for her too. They’re long time friends or something, right?”

“Yeah, okay. I just need to free myself up from all those damn meetings. They are a waste of my time, my input is not needed and I am not learning a damn thing, other than how much I hate them,” David said. “Have they bugged her since?”

“No, no way Holmes. I told them you’d kill them if you saw them within half a week of her,” he smiled.

They were quiet for a while, playing and drinking. Mike actually won one hand and everybody drank a toast to him for his victory. It only happened once, but it happened.

Randy was drinking another full glass trying hard to remember why Carrie wasn’t with them tonight.

“Hey, did you tell my why the vision of loveliness isn’t here tonight already,” he asked David.

Chris spoke up,” Yeah, he did, but you must have missed it. She’s got her own life you know. Who knows if she has kids or a family or what? All we know is what we see when she’s with us,” he told the inebriated young man. He knew she didn’t have kids or a family, he just wanted to jolt him.

“She doesn’t have fucking kids, does she Dave,” Randy asked him as he placed his bet with a worried frown.

David glanced quickly at Mike before he said, “No, no kids that I know of. But she steals mine sometimes.”

“Good to know. I still haven’t given up hope. There’s always that chance she might come to her senses, you know,” Randy told him. Mike just drank his scotch and shut the hell up.

“Yeah, don’t give up buddy. A fucking miracle might happen,” Eddie said with a smirk. He could see that the youngest at the table was getting very stupid and shit faced, so he knew he was gonna mess with him soon.

“Have you asked her recently,” Eddie asked Randy in all seriousness. They could all see him pause and think for a moment, trying to remember if he had.

“Hey you got a point there. I don’t think I have. Damn, she might just say yes this time. Thanks for the reminder, Eddie,” he smiled at the older helpful man.

The four others looked at each other and just shook their heads. He was the most shit faced, but he was winning. Some things just don’t make sense. The next two hands Randy lost and the others were staring to feel a little better, except Mike, who kept losing.

Probably because he had her on the brain at the moment, he looked around the table and said, “Hey, did Dave ever tell you about Carrie and her tits.”

Mike and Chris both choked on their drinks, Eddie laughed and David asked loudly, “What the fuck?” and slapped Randy on the back of the head.

“You know, the time she met Vince and the tits thing,” he clarified for his buddy as he rubbed the back of his head with a frown.

Now David remembered what he was talking about so he shared with all of them how she told the boss of the company no and she wasn’t blowing smoke up his ass. They laughed at the story, knowing it must have pissed Vince off to not get what he wanted. He usually did, particularly with women. Randy was back to winning, but he was stuck on tits now.

“You ever see such nice ones,” he asked no one in particular as he smiled at his private vision.

“I don’t know, I’m pretty partial to my wife’s,” David told him.

“Oh yeah, she’s got nice ones too,” he said. The rest of them just looked at each other and grinned. They were going to have a discussion about tits tonight obviously.

“You ever wonder how they don’t fall out when they’re wrestling. I think I’d like it more if they did. Maybe Vince should require it, what do you think? I think it would make the ratings go up,” the young Legend Killer said seriously.

Mike said quietly, “It’d make something go up, that’s for sure.”

“You can’t play poker worth a shit, but you can stay,” Eddie told him grinning.

“My wife told me they use tape and all kinds of other crap that hurts like hell to keep their tits covered,” Chris said. “She said when they do fall out, they do it on purpose, but we’re supposed to think it’s an accident. Get it?” He looked around and collected the winning pot again.

“You mean like the Janet Jackson thing,” Randy asked him.

“Exactly,” Chris said.

“We need to have more accidents then. I like it when that happens,” Randy said owlishly. He continued on his breast train of thought as he said, “What’s with all the fake shit now anyway?”

Mike was brave enough to ask him what he was referring to, since he had just folded again.

“The tits man, the tits,” he said loudly in case no one heard him the first time.

“I think you got Vince to thank for that, Randy,” David told him. Randy shook his head as he thought about that.

“They’re great to look at but, I don’t like the feel of them,” he told the table. “They aren’t as fun. What’s the point of having them if they didn’t feel good,” he asked all of them.

“Sounds like you done some serious research there, Killer,” Eddie teased him.

“Oh yeah. It’s all in the name of research,” he grinned at them as he won the hand. He focused on Mike because he had been quiet and Randy didn’t know him very well. “Tell me, what do you think of all the fake tits?” Mike swallowed his drink and thought for a minute before saying anything. “I mean a guy like you, gets to do as much research as he wants, right,” Randy asked.

Mike just raised his eyebrows at him. He saw David give him a warning glance.

“A guy like me? Um, okay,” was all Mike managed to say.

“Dude, chicks must throw themselves at you, begging to fuck you. Shit, look at you. I got another few years of hard work in the gym before I can get to where you and Dave are,” Randy said.

Eddie laughed out loud, Chris shook his head but stayed quiet.

“Randy, until recently I had a girlfriend. We were together for years, so I must have missed all the chicks throwing themselves at me, ‘cause it didn’t happen. Sorry to burst you bubble,” Mike told the younger man.

“No shit? That sucks. But you’re making up for lost time now, I bet,” he smiled at the older man, not believing that his theory about him was off.

Mike just shrugged, that was enough for Randy. He continued on his tit theme for the rest of the night, sharing his views with all of them about anyone’s tits he could think of, fake and real. David shook his head as he realized that Randy was very shit faced and still had some growing up to do.

They finally called it quits early morning, before one of them would have had to drag Randy’s ass back to his own room. Lucky for Randy he was just a few doors down so he didn’t have far to fall.

Mike said to them as they were all leaving, “Thanks for kicking my ass tonight, I didn’t enjoy it.”

They laughed as they left, thanking him for allowing them to help him part with his money.

“Jesus, Dave. Does Carrie have to deal with that kind of shit all the time,” he asked his buddy as they were clearing up.

“All that and more. She never lets it bug her. You heard Eddie, she laughs it off. Plus she doesn’t think anyone notices her,” he added. “Most of the guys know her and treat her with as much respect as they do their own family. It’s only when someone doesn’t know her and they think she might be something else is when trouble starts.”

Mike absorbed that piece of news, not understanding how she could cope with all the harassment and jacked up egos. She was so calm on the outside, but now he understood where some of her hard earned calm must have come from, since his revealing talk with The Undertaker.

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