• Survivor Series 2005
• A superstar fulfills his promise to a young girl
• Payback is a huge bitch and so are some of my ladies and I love them because of it
• Pregnant women do crazy shit sometimes.  LOL
• You will notice that I have purposely skipped over Eddie Gurerro's passing in the timeline of this fic.  This was not done as a slight or disrespect to him or his memory.  Quite the opposite.   I don't feel able to devote an entire chapter to the circumstances and all the ramifications of it.  As soon as I start to write about it, I get too emotional to be coherent.  I won't ignore his passing, it's too important and I love & respect Eddie and his work too much to do that.  But currently, I plan on referring to it in this chapter, since we all know it happened.  Eddie's passing will be reflected on in flashbacks, anymore than that and I get too emotional.
• Finally, one of the spotlight ladies makes her appearance!  Rebecca let me use her for my fic and for that, I am grateful.  You can bet we'll be seeing her again.
• Thanks, as always, to Nan for her great graphics!
• Also, special thanks to Nan for letting me play with her characterizations from BTS.  And if you’re not reading Empress’s Behind The Scenes, I got to words for ya!
• And finally, thanks to Bella and her Tender Indulgences.  You will notice some bleed over of characterizations from her fic also.  What can I say, I love her story too.
• I ended up chopping this chapter into to smaller pieces.  The voices definitely had a lot to say, so things kept growing.  I apologize for leaving some things in the air, but it will be covered or picked back up in the next chapter or so.

Feedback: always appreciated! In other words, yes please, even if you hate it, let me know. The squeaky wheel does get heard and if you hate the direction of something or someone, for god's sake tell me
 

“Kris” Mike’s panicked voice on the phone cut through her light mood quickly. 

“Yeah, Mike.  What’s up that’s got you so frantic,” she asked as she glanced at her husband fondly.  They were starting to get used to these kind of calls, they happened with regularity as Mike became accustomed to Carrie’s quirks.  David looked over from his task of stirring their dinner. 

“It’s Carrie.  I think she’s really lost it this time,” he relayed to the beautiful blonde.  He was trying to keep his voice down so the love of his life wouldn’t hear him.  He worried what she might do or say if she heard his call to her sister. 

“What makes you say that Mike,” Kris asked as she smirked and winked at her husband. 

“Um, she’s pulled everything out of the kitchen cupboards and has started on the fridge,” he explained. 

“Why would she do something like that,” Kris asked. 

“How the hell would I know,” Mike snapped. 

“Okay, start at the beginning.  You’re not telling me something I’m sure,” Kris reasoned.  She didn’t take offence at Mike’s quick temper, she knew what it was like living with Carrie and she was used to her. 

“Okay, we came home from the store because she said she was hungry,” he said and paused to gather his thoughts.  Kris could heard him rub his face as she waited. 

“What?  You went to the store ‘cause she was hungry or came home ‘cause she was,” Kris queried him. 

“What?”   

He was confused.  What the hell was she asking him that for when all  he wanted to know was…take a deep breath buddy, you can do this he reminded himself.   

”We came home with food that she said she wanted,” he started.   

Kris nodded into the phone, realizing he was working himself up to telling whatever was causing him to freak out.   

“As soon as we came in she started talking about some smell.  Asking me how come the fucking place smelled.”   His confusion was easy to hear. 

“So this is why she’s on a rampage, pulling stuff out of the cupboards and shit,” Kris asked for clarification.   

David returned the lid to their dinner and walked to his wife.  He stood behind her and wrapped his arm around her as he listened to the latest catastrophe involving his lil’ sis. 

“I don’t know.  I guess so.  But I can’t smell anything,” Mike said quietly.  He walked further away to keep the conversation from being overheard.   

Last time he checked, Carrie was on her knees in front of the fridge, pulling everything out and adding to the growing pile of shit in the middle of the kitchen floor. 

“I don’t know what to say Mike.  She’s not normally so weird,” she said.  David spoke up and asked her what they were talking about since he couldn’t decipher it from only Kris’ comments.  He chuckled as he heard Mike’s worry.  He reached for the phone. 

“I got this, Baby.  I got it,” Mike heard his friend say.  “Is she pissed or what,” David asked Mike, putting the phone to his ear. 

“Not yet, but I don’t think she’ll be happy if she can’t find whatever it is that’s bugging her,” Mike worried.   

To his astonishment, his long time friend started laughing, loudly.  Kris looked at her husband strangely, he wasn’t usually so insensitive.   

“Thanks for your help, asshole,” Mike grumbled. 

“No problem, no problem at all,” David chuckled and tried to control his giggles.  He knew neither of his audience appreciated it, yet.  But they would.

“Listen, buddy.  I think I know what’s going on here, as long as you’re positive the place doesn’t stink.  You take a shower today,” he couldn’t resist a little tease. 

“Asshole, of course,” Mike said impatiently.  Just to check he took a quick sniff to make sure he didn't stink.  You never knew sometimes.  But he didn't stink so it wasn't him. 

“It’s all in her head, man.  All in her head.  She’s imagining it,” David said before Mike cut him off. 

“You think I’m gonna tell her that?  Are you fucking nuts!” Mike exclaimed and shook his head.  He knew that was the last thing she wanted to hear. 

“No, no.  Nothing like that.  It’s because she’s pregnant.  She’s all fucked up.  I bet her sense of taste is different too, right,” David questioned his buddy. 

“Um,” Mike scratched his head and thought for a minute before saying anything.   

Kris looked at her husband like he’d gone insane and was getting ready to be very pissed with his comment about being pregnant and fucked up.   

He saw her look and said quickly, “Baby, don’t you remember for a few days when you thought everything smelled of chocolate.”   

He saw the memory flash in her eyes.  She remembered and her lips curled into a naughty smile.  It was one of their weirder times together. 

“No shit,” Mike asked.   

David had forgotten he was still on the phone, he was nuzzling his wife’s neck, reminding her of their chocolate week and everything that went with it.  He pulled his lips away regretfully. 

“Yeah.  Kris thought everything smelled like chocolate.  It started one day and finished a few days later.  She was eating all kinds of weird shit because she thought they smelled of chocolate.  Lucky for me, she thought I did to" David explained. 

"You think that's what's happening here," Mike was ready to grasp any idea.  Nothing else made any damn sense since the place did not smell.  She had cleaning people that came in to ensure that it didn't.  She had even accused him of firing them since the house smelled.  He shuddered at the memory of her quiet accusations today.  Her quiet anger always threw him, but when it was directed at him, it seriously shook him. 

"It's the only thing that makes any sense.  All you have to do is convince her," David chuckled. 

"Thanks, thanks a lot asshole.  I don't think she wants to talk to me right now.  I'm the shit head that's making the place stink, according to her," Mike explained.   

David was feeling very mellow and agreeable, thanks to watching his wife raid their pantry and grab the syrup in preparation for a trip down memory lane. 

"Put her on the phone.  I'll tell her, you chicken shit," David said with a wink to his wife.  She had turned the stove off and moved the pot off the warm burner.  They'd come back to that later, maybe. 

“Oh, okay.  If she’s pissed when she gets off the phone, I’m coming over and pounding your ass,” Mike warned his buddy.   

David chuckled at his threat.  He waited for her to come to the phone as he watched his wife tidy up the kitchen so they didn’t have to do that later either. 

“Yes, David.  What’s up,” Carrie asked him in a distracted voice. 

“Mike tells me you think the place stinks,” he started.   

“Did he call you and tell you that?  Damn it.  Why can’t he smell it?  It’s bad, David, real bad,” she said. 

“Um, Lil’ Sis,” he asked tentatively. 

“Yes David,” she almost snapped. 

“The place does not smell.  It’s you,” he said quietly and waited for the explosion.  He had less than a second to wait.  He winked at Kris as the voice on the other end started. 

“What?  How do you know?  The place stinks.  I swear to God it’s like rotten eggs!  Why can’t you guys understand…” was all she got out before he cut her off. 

“Remember when Kris thought stuff smelled like chocolate,” he reminded her.  He heard her take a deep breath and waited for her to say anything else. 

“You think that’s what this is?”  He grunted in confirmation. 

“Shit!  Why couldn’t it be chocolate?  I hate eggs, I hate the smell of them, the sight, the taste.  Why the hell couldn’t it be chocolate?  I like that,” she almost whined. 

“I don’t know, Lil’ Sis.  I don’t.  But my guess is it’s temporary.  Has your taste changed recently,” he asked her, trying to get her to think about things logically.  She was usually logical, but not right now according to Mike. 

“Damn, yes.  Everything pretty much tastes like cardboard,” she admitted.   

Mike had been listening to her side of the conversation and was surprised at her admission.  It made sense to him the more he thought about it since she hadn’t seemed to want to eat anything he had put in front of her the last couple of days.  He thought it was stress.  Why the hell would she tell Dave, he thought, when she wouldn’t tell me.  Because he asked her, you dumb shit, was his inner response.   

He heard her sigh before she asked, “Remind me how long this lasted for Kris.” 

“Couple of days, I think Lil’ Sis.”  David tried not to let his amusement show in his voice, knowing she wouldn’t think it was funny right now. 

“So I should just open all the damn windows and pretend the place doesn’t stink, eh,” she asked David with a smile at Mike as she raked her fingers through her hair. 

“That’s up to you, Lil’ Sis, but it is almost winter outside,” he reminded her. 

She chuckled, “Bastard.” 

“I know, I know.  Kris tells me that all the time,” David chuckled with her. 

“Thanks, David.  Thanks for telling me I’m temporarily crazy, but it’ll pass in a few days and not to worry,” she giggled.

 “My pleasure,” he said sweetly back.  “Take it easy on that man, I don’t think he can take much of this kind of stuff, ya know?” 

“He better get used to it,” she said seriously.  David privately agreed with her, but didn’t say so. 

“Gotta let you go, caramel syrup is done in the ‘nuker and it's calling my name,” he laughed.   

"Bastard," was all he heard as he hung up the phone on her. 

Kris reached for the phone and put it back on the receiver with a twitch of her lips.  She could see how the thought of the sauce had affected her husband.  He grabbed the syrup from the microwave with one hand and clicked the phone off with the other.  She reached for his free hand to pull him up the stairs so they could make good use of the sweet topping. 

The older children were at friends' homes and Dave's mom had taken Melissa for the evening so they had a few blissful hours to themselves.  They had planned to cook dinner together and eat under candle light, but Mike's phone call pushed that plan to the back burner. 

Following his wife up the flight of stairs, David leaned forward and nipped her tasty ass with his teeth.  He was rewarded by her squeal.  He chuckled at her reaction.  It had been a while since he'd proven to her how much he loved her ass and maybe tonight might be the time to remind her, flashed through his mind as he stepped into their bedroom.  She closed the door behind him, just in case the kids came home early.  He watched her actions and gave her a small nod. 

*** 

Several days later, Mike and David were getting a rare work out together.  They didn't get much time to sweat and shoot the shit anymore. 

"What do you mean tits on a stick," David asked his buddy as he was winding down his leg work. 

"Fuck, I don't know how else to describe her, Dave."  Mike released his hold on the weights he was using so he could try to make his buddy understand.  "She wouldn't go away, man.  She followed me all over the damn store.  Then, when I went into the produce section, she slithered up to me," Mike said as he scowled at his buddy's ever widening grin.  "What?  What the fuck are you laughing at," Mike demanded. 

David shook his head, but didn't bother to hide his grin as he continued on with his leg sets.  "Tell me this, Mike.  What color was her hair?"  Mike frowned as he thought about it, about her and the whole twilight zone encounter. 

"Um, shit, I don't know.  All I can say for sure was she had big tits and huge teeth," he admitted.  "Oh, and she had long hair, but I don't remember the color at all.  When I was looking at papayas she kept leaning in to me and breathing at me.  It was too fuckin' weird."  Mike recalled the episode from a couple of weeks ago and realized he recognized her from somewhere but also knew he'd seen her watching him before that day in the grocery store too. 

David grinned at his clueless friend.  "You mean like the working girls in the clubs," he teased. 

"Exactly like that," Mike admitted.  Even though, if officially asked, there were no such thing as working girls in the strip clubs.  It was all perfectly legal and no one worked for themselves or anyone else.  Yeah, right. 

"She just wouldn't give up or go away.  It was creepy.  Okay, maybe if I was seventeen I would've thought it was cool, but damn."  Mike shook his head at the memory of that encounter.  He didn't normally get hounded going to the grocery store.  Hell, he didn't normally get hounded anywhere usually.  Sometimes he'd catch some woman watching him, but they never resorted to the shit that weird bitch did.  He now had a small appreciation for the shit his buddy dealt with and he was damn glad it wasn't him.  It was that thought that prompted his next words. 

"How do you stand it, Dave?  It drove me fuckin' nuts!  I used to think it'd be cool to have all that attention, but just that from some freaky bitch was enough to sour my taste for it," Mike admitted as he sat back on the incline bench and reached for his weights again.   

David looked over at his friend, knowing he had no idea who that freaky bitch was or why she was baiting him.  He thought about that as he took a long drink from his water.  Lil' Sis was gonna kill her, that much he knew.  But he also remembered she'd done some shit weeks ago with her little computer and he didn't know the outcome of that yet.  He thought about keeping the freaky bitch's identity a secret, but knew Mike would figure it out sooner or later once he watched her on TV. 

David waited until his long time friend has set his weights back on the floor before he broke his news about who the freaky bitch was.  His lips were twitching as he tried unsuccessfully to bite back his grin as he teased, "You just me the 2004 Diva search winner, buddy.  What did ya think of her?"  

"That?  That was Christy Hemme?  Oh shit, now I get it," Mike said as he realized a few things and also understood exactly why Carrie hated her guts.  He didn't know her and he hated her already.   

"Damn, she looks so different on tv," Mike said.   

He knew that some women looked very different with their makeup on and their hair done.  Hell, he'd lived with a woman like that for years, but had forgotten how radical the change could be.  Carrie didn't seem to wear much make up and some days he was pretty sure she didn't wear any.  What you saw was what you got with her and he loved her because of it. 

"She'd hate to hear you say that.  She thinks she's the most beautiful creature on God's earth," David joked. 

"That's the one that was chasin’ you guys all last year," Mike asked as he remembered. 

"Yeah.  Now you see why it wasn't too damn hard to resist?  She's something else," David said tactfully. 

"She doesn't like to be told no, does she," Mike grinned.  David shook his head with a smirk.  "I got the feeling she thought I must be sick or something," Mike chuckled. 

"Oh yeah, I'm sure.  She's used to getting what she wants most of the time, especially when it comes to us," David said. 

"Us," Mike asked. 

"Men," David clarified.  Mike nodded and as he thought more about it, he shook his head.  No wonder Carrie took her out. 

"You think if I asked her, Carrie'd hit her again so I could watch this time," Mike joked. 

"Probably.  She still hates her.  Christy has the unique ability of pissing off exactly the wrong women."  At Mike's questioning look, David continued.  "Kris hates her.  She's met her and hates her."  David held up one finger.  "Carrie wants to kill her slowly."  He held up a second finger.  "But Nan?  Nan wants to peel her skin off and chop her in to small bite sized pieces," David said as he held up the third finger.   Mike looked a little ill at the last statement. 

"That seems a little strong.  You sure," Mike asked.   

David laughed, "Oh yeah, damn sure.  She told me herself!" 

“She’s not too bright, is she,” Mike chuckled. 

“No, but then that wasn’t why Vince hired her and we both know it,” David said as he finished his last set.   

He grabbed his towel and mopped his streaming face, chest and neck.  He tossed the towel in the general direction of the hamper, missing it completely.  He grimaced and walked toward the errant towel.  A thought struck him and he deposited it in the hamper.

 “I’m not sure, but I have a horrible feeling the ladies have a little something planned for Christy at this joint pay per view,” David said as Mike walked up and put his well used towel in the hamper. 

“Really?  You think I could tag along?  I’d love to see that little freak get hers,” Mike laughed. 

“Yeah, I bet you would.  But this is the one that Cena promised Liz.  I’m sure the ladies will have their hands full with her and Jess.  I promise to report back to you.  If I call and ask for bail, just do it, don’t give me any shit about it,” David laughed at their well worn punch line.  They hadn’t used it in years, but there was a time when both of them had said it seriously to the other. 

*** 

Out on the town, lookin' for a woman,
Gonna gimmie good love
Anybody wanna hang out with me,
And maybe burn me up?
She was standin' alone over by the jukebox,
Like she's something to sell
I said, "Baby, what's the goin' price?"
She told me to go to Hell!

Shot down in flames!
Shot down in flames!
Ain't it a shame,
To be shot down in flames?!
AC/DC - Shot Down in Flames 

Randy waited patiently as he listened to the elderly woman explain all the different supplements her doctor had recommended to the young woman that was listening with seemingly endless patience.  She was nodding at each new supplement and would quickly grab it from the shelf and tuck it in the shopping basket for the elderly woman.   

Randy admitted to himself he wouldn’t have been so patient if he wasn’t enjoying watching the young woman so much.  She was a beautiful brunette without any noticeable make up or other artifices.  Her chestnut hair was past her shoulder, but she kept tucking it back behind her ears.  What captured his attention was her grace of movement and her stunning eyes.  When he first entered the store, he’d been so intent on finding his powder that he hadn’t noticed her, except vaguely.  The guys had told him about this store, said it was the best in the area and that he’d be able to get what he wanted easily.  They were right.  The store carried his exact brand of powder and in a wide variety of flavors.  He’d hesitated at first, but quickly grabbed a couple of tubs since he wasn’t sure when he’d be able it find it again.  If he waited on his monthly shipment from the manufacturer, he’d be out of luck for a week or more since it wasn’t due until then. 

His day dreaming was interrupted by the elderly woman shuffling past him with her basket full of supplements. 

“Excuse me,” she said quietly.  She didn’t mean to crowd the nice young man.  He was being so patient and waiting until Rebecca had helped her with her long list from the doctor. 

“Are you sure that’s everything,” Rebecca asked with a smile for Mrs. Wojowski.  She smiled and waited as the elderly woman looked over her list carefully and checked the contents of her basket.  Rebecca noticed a tall guy waiting with two tubs of protein powder, leaning against the counter.  He didn’t seem to be in any hurry.  It wouldn’t have mattered if he was, she was going to make sure that Mrs. Wojowski got what she needed this time.  Last time she sent her grandson and he didn’t get anything on her list. 

She heard the tall guy sigh and look at his watch, but other than that brief flick of his eyes to check the time, he didn’t seem too worried.  She noticed he didn’t look like the typical guy that bought protein powders.  He wasn’t some over inflated, ‘roided up muscle head.  He looked muscular, but not overly so and he seemed to be more balanced than most of the powder heads, as she thought of them.  She did appreciate his orange and blue stripped shirt.  It looked great with his dark slacks and it was a good color for his skin tone.  She took in his entire appearance in less time than it took him to check his watch.  She was used to noticing things about people, it was what helped her in her photography.  She was able to bring out things that most others never saw.  She knew it was a gift, but she’d always been able to do it so she didn’t really see the big deal. 

Finally Mrs. Wojowski said, “I think we’ve got all of it, dear.”   

She opened her voluminous green handbag and started to rummage through for her wallet.  Randy stepped back as the old woman opened her bag to scrounge for something.  All he could see was that her bag was huge and it was stuffed.  Thank God he wasn’t in a hurry, he thought.  He looked over her head at the young woman helping her.  She seemed to have the patience of a saint, he mused.  His glance took in the displays of protein bars and he smirked as he remembered Big Sis and how she always carried some with her.  He reached over and grabbed a handful of bars to keep for his carry on in case of emergencies.  He’d inhaled the last bunch he’d had when he had an unexpected layover in Dubuque. 

“I’m so sorry, Rebecca.  I didn’t mean to take up all your lunch time,” Mrs. Wojowski said as she started to write her check.  Randy’s ears caught that comment and smiled to himself.  Maybe his day was looking up after all.   

“Oh, dear,” the elderly woman said as she turned around and looked at Randy fully for the first time.  “Do you want to go a head of me?  I just butted right in, I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Wojowski said as she blinked and pushed her glasses back in place. 

“No, that’s fine.  Take your time,” Randy said.  His mother had managed to instill some manners into him.   

Rebecca heard his voice and tried to place his accent.  It was obvious that he wasn’t from California, but she couldn’t nail it down.  Randy shot his sleeves up as was his nervous habit and glanced again at his watch.  He’d been standing in this damn store for over fifteen minutes, he saw. 

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed as she watched the guy flash his expensive watch and look again at the time. Was she supposed to be impressed by his Rolex?  Or his imitation Rolex?  Whatever it was, she wasn’t interested so he needed to just step back and not even bother.  She wasn’t interested in whatever he was selling.  She guessed that he was in sales of some kind by his posture and arrogance.  She was not interested in any salesman.  They ranked right next to lawyers on the pond scum scale of humanity.  Definitively bottom feeders.  She quickly finished ringing up Mrs. Wojowski, ensuring she had all her supplements.  She looked at the total and made a management decision. 

“That’ll be 24.50,” she said to the waiting lady.   

Mrs. Wojowski was poised and ready to write her check.  Randy leaned back at the unexpected total and tried to hide his surprise.  He couldn’t stop his lip from twitching as he fought to contain his smile.  He knew what Rebecca, that was her name right, had done.  He had guessed the woman’s bill to be a couple of hundred with the amount of supplements she bought. 

“Oh,” was all the elderly woman said as she wrote the check.   

Rebecca’s eyes flicked over to the door as another woman walked in.  She was a regular customer.  She smiled at her as she went straight back to the cooler section and got her soy for the week.   

“Thank you for all your help today, dear.  I’ll be sure to tell your mom next time I see her.”  Rebecca nodded and smiled at Mrs. Wojowski.  She was a nice old lady, just a little slow.  “Oh, is this your lunch date,” she asked as she turned to the young man patiently waiting, as if the thought just occurred to her. 

Rebecca quickly said, “No.  Don’t worry about my lunch.  Have a nice day, Mrs. Wojowski.  I’ll see you next month.” 

Randy watched her blush at the older woman’s words and found that she was even more striking with her color high.  He had a brief thought about making her blush as he made love to her.  He’d noticed immediately that she didn’t have any rings on, so maybe.  His eyes met hers as he handed over his items.  She stayed quiet as she totaled up his purchase. 

“Did you find everything you needed,” she asked automatically.  Don’t say any dumb ass pick up line, I’ve heard them all before, she thought quickly. 

“Yeah, I did, thanks,” he said as he flipped open his wallet for his card.  He scratched his chin as he watched her.  She fascinated him and for the life of him he didn’t know why. 

“That’ll be 97.52,” she said as she reached for a bag to put all his protein bars and tubs in. 

His lips twitched and he couldn’t stop himself as he said, “Don’t I get a discount?” 

“No,” Rebecca said quietly.  She knew he’d noticed Mrs. Wojowski’s total. 

“Not even after making me wait,” he teased. 

“No.  You’re not a senior on a fixed income,” she said quietly.   

He nodded at her words, it made sense.  He admired her for helping the sweet little old lady out.  If her purchases were any indication, she was also in a lot of pain from arthritis and oseto.  Ms. Brown stepped behind Randy in line with her weekly purchase of soy products. 

“How’s it going today,“ Rebecca asked her regular customer. 

Randy’s brows shot up.  He’d never been ‘dissed so obviously before.  Damn, he thought, nothing subtle about her.

 “Good,” was the other woman’s comment.   

She was standing behind Randy and enjoying the view.  She winked at Rebecca and raised her brows at the obvious hunk of tender man flesh in front of her.  If she hadn’t sworn off men this month, she would have jumped him on the spot.  Such is life, she sighed.  Rebecca noticed her actions and grinned back at her.  She held her hand out for the guy’s card.  The sooner this salesman was out her of mom’s store, the better she thought.  She didn’t make eye contact as he gave her his card.  Just hurry up and go, was her thought.  She’d had a shitty week and her cramps were as bad as she’d worried they might be this morning.  The sooner she could go home, the better. 

“Rebecca,” Randy asked her.   

Her eyes met his in alarm.  How did he know her name, she worried briefly.  Then she realized Mrs. Wojowski had used it, she always did. 

“Yeah,” she said ungraciously.  Don’t even think about it buddy, was what she really wanted to say.   

Ms. Brown didn’t bother to hide her grin at Rebecca’s obvious alarm.  She needed to get out more, so this guy might be the ticket for just that.  Even if for just one night, she mused. 

“Sorry about you missing your lunch,” he said as he shot his cuffs again.  She rolled her eyes as he flashed his expensive looking watch again.  He frowned at her expression.   

“Do you have plans?  Can I make it up to you,” he asked.  Hell no was her immediate thought, closely followed by wishing the damn credit card machine would hurry up. 

“No,” was all she said.   

He frowned as he tried to understand what she said no to.  No to plans or no to him making it up to her or just no to him?  He hunched his shoulders and rolled his head as he briefly considered what she might have said no to.  He was oblivious to the other customer in the store.  He’d already forgotten about her, his focus was on the beautiful creature in front of him.  Did she even look at the name of the card, he wondered.  He thought about the fact that she didn’t seem to know who he was or if she did, she was doing a damn good job at hiding it.  He’d met some ladies recently that pretended not to know who he was until they got what they wanted from him.  He wondered if that was the case with Rebecca.  She impatiently waited for the damn machine to spit back the authorization code.  He noticed her tapping her pen between her fingers.  His eyes glanced past her fingers and appreciated her low slung, snug jeans that showed a hint of firm skin.  Topping her faded jeans was a simple, he almost thought plain but corrected himself, black top.  The dark color brought out her blue eyes. 

A beep that was followed quickly by her, “Here,” as she tossed the paper and pen at him to sign, distracted him enough that he followed her words by doing exactly as expected, automatically.  He started to hand the paper and pen back to her, but his brain kicked back in.   

As she reached for the pen and paper he held out to her, he smiled.  She tried to take both back but he held on.  She rolled her eyes at his juvenile behavior and waited him out. 

“Lunch?  I’m sure you must need to eat sometime,” he said as he gave her his award winning smile.  A smile that he knew all his female fans adored.  He knew because they told him every chance they got. 

“I’m not hungry,” she ground out as she waited for him to let go. 

“Let me take you out to lunch,” he asked quietly as he turned up the charm.  He flashed his dimples at her, knowing they melted many a woman’s frigid heart. 

“Not if you were the last man on earth,” she growled.   

His eyebrows shot up at her words.  He’d never been told that one before.  It just added to her allure.  Her growl went straight to his dick and his pants started to get a little tight. 

“Pretend that I am the last man on earth,” he joked.   

He was enjoying their game immensely.  Every minute he was close to her, he got to study her more and appreciate her beauty.  She rolled her eyes as she let go of the receipt and pen.   

“Fine, you’re the last man one earth.  I’ve decided I’m a lesbian!”   

She turned and walked away from him and her other customer and headed to the back of the store.  He heard a door slam that he didn’t know existed.   

Randy watched her retreat with interest.  He’d never met anyone like her.  He knew there was a lot more to her than just someone who worked at a health food store and he wanted to discover each and every layer, slowly.  His dick throbbed in answer to his thoughts.  Oh yeah, she was hot all right, but she was also something else.  He turned from the check out counter and almost stepped right into the other customer that he’d forgotten was in the store. 

“Sorry,” he said quickly and he put his hands up to stop himself from squishing her containers of tofu and soy milk. 

“S’okay,” Ms Brown said with a smile.   

This man had rattled Rebecca, something she didn’t think was possible.  Interesting, very interesting, she thought as she looked at him again.  His ass was fine in his dark blue slacks and that shirt.  Damn, that shirt was enough to make her seriously rethink her month’s worth of abstinence.  It was a nice, button down shirt, that he’d left the top two buttons undone, more for comfort than effect she thought.  But the color and stripes set his blue eyes off like nothing else, she decided.  If Rebecca didn’t want this one, she jump him in a New York minute.  But she knew that Rebecca did or at least might.  She didn’t normally walk out on customers.  She was usually the most patient with the most annoying customers.  Ms. Brown smiled to herself as she thought about it.  Rebecca seemed to get more patient with the most irritating people.  She didn’t know how she did, but she seemed to find it in herself.  If she didn’t know better, she’d thought that Rebecca did drugs to acquire that kind of calm. 

“She coming back, you think,” the pretty man interrupted her thoughts. 

“Oh, yeah.  But probably not while you’re here,” Ms. Brown said with a wink.   

Randy shook is head.  He didn’t understand some women he knew, but he thought he might understand her.  He wanted to understand her, he admitted to himself.  What the fuck was his problem anyway?  Forget about her, his ego reminded him.  You just came in to get your shit so you can make sure you get enough protein so you quit losing bulk.  Just be happy you were able to do it without getting mugged by screaming little girls, he reminded himself heartlessly.

He grabbed his bag and nodded at the other customer and left with out a backward glance.  What the fuck was his problem, he asked himself again.  You’re in some weird ass place in California, just doing a show tonight and you’ll be gone before you’re really awake enough to remember the woman who warmed your bed.  Get a fucking grip, Randy.  He kept up his inner dialogue as he got his keys out of his pocket and searched for his damn rental.  What the hell car did he have today anyway?  Where the hell did he park, he worried. 

“He left, you can come out now,” Ms Brown said loudly.  The door opened loudly because the hinges were old and squeaky. 

“Thanks.  Sorry about that,” Rebecca said with a rueful grin.  Her customer shrugged at her actions and set her purchases on the counter. 

“He had a nice ass, Bec,” Ms. Brown said.  Their conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Shoal’s arrival. 

“Sorry Honey.  Sorry I’m late.  You can go to lunch now,” was out of Rebecca’s mom’s mouth before the door closed on her.  “I ran into Mrs. Wojowski on my way in and she had to tell me how helpful you were to her today and she wanted to tell me all about it,” the store’s proprietress said with pride.   

The door opened again to admit the tall guy.  He had a smile on his face as he advanced back to the counter.  Rebecca rolled her eyes as she saw who darkened the door again.  Damn, didn’t he take no for an answer, she thought.  When she had hidden in the back room, she‘d kept her mind busy as she imagined photographing him, in various poses, both nude and partially clothed.  He’d make a good subject, with his square jaw, broad shoulders and slim hips.

“About that lunch,” Randy said with a smile. 

“I told you, not interested,” Rebecca held up a hand.  “I’m a lesbian,” she said loudly. 

“Are you,” he mother looked over at her seriously.  “I just knew it,” she said as she busied her hands putting some tofu packages in a shopping bag for Ms. Brown.   

Randy’s grin widened at the older woman’s words and actions.  He thought they might be related, they had similar shaped eyes and he realized that the older woman was still very striking looking, enough to get him to take a second look certainly.  Rebecca sighed at her mother.  She was so dense sometimes.  She loved her but jeeze, couldn’t she just tell a little white lie and not have her mother believe it for once?   

“What’s with you?  Is the circus in town or something,” Rebecca asked loudly.  How to make this guy go away, she worried. 

Randy grinned at her comment.  The circus was in town, she just didn’t know it.  Many of his coworkers called the WWE the traveling circus, he was one of them sometimes.  But he never said it out loud or to anyone else.  He didn’t want his ass on anyone’s radar, not for that shit anyway.  He’d seen what a few stupid comments said to the wrong person could do to a career. 

“Would it make you change your orientation if I said yeah, the circus is in town,” he teased at her as he flashed his dimples again. 

“Hardly,” she said. 

“Rebecca, that’s hardly polite,” her mother chided her.   

She was still reeling from the information that her daughter was gay and she was still trying to figure out how she should feel about it.  She wanted to be hip and cool, so she knew she shouldn’t be too worried about it.  Maybe it was another one of her daughter’s fazes that she’d grow out of.  Maybe not, but she’d try to be supportive either way.  That’s what everyone tells parents they should be nowadays. 

“Could you at least do me the courtesy of telling me if that sushi place is any good,” Randy said as he pointed to the store several doors down.  Rebecca shrugged.   

“It’s okay if you like that kind of shit,” she said.   

Ms. Brown had her bags in hand but hadn’t moved yet because she was too enraptured with the byplay between the usually composed Rebecca and some tall young guy with a nice ass. 

Randy gathered by her tone that she didn’t like that kind of shit.  Okay, try a different tactic, he thought.   

“What about the teriyaki place?  Is that any better?” 

Rebecca smiled before she could stop herself.  “Yeah, the food’s good and they’re nice people,” she said honestly.  

No use in lying about that, especially if it sent mister fancy watch their way.  She was more than happy to help her neighbors out. 

“Can I ask if you’ll be dining at the fine establishment today,” Randy asked with a smirk.  Too late, Rebecca realized her mistake.  Damn it, she railed at herself. 

“Yes, I am.  But I prefer to dine alone, thank you,” she said as she breezed by him and rushed out the door.   

Her mother and Ms. Brown exchanged a long look.  Randy smiled and followed her nice ass out the door.  Finally making some progress, he thought to himself. 

He caught up with her as she stood in line to order.  Damn, she’s even better than I thought, he mused as he looked her over from head to toe on her backside.  Very nice, he thought to himself as his hand reached up to rub his chin unconsciously.   

He stepped closer as he asked her, “What’s good here?”  Besides you, he finished his thought to himself. 

She didn’t turn her head as she said, “Number seven.  Try number seven.”   

That ought to shut him up, she thought.  The chili oil alone should burn like hell.  Yes, she was bitchy and crampy she knew, but so what?  He was getting on her very last nerve and she was done trying to be nice about it.  She stepped forward to order and he followed.  Just as the young man behind the counter was going to total her order up, Randy spoke up. 

“Can you add a number seven to that?  And um, a large water,” he said as he eyed the cooler of drinks. 

“Certainly sir,” was the response.  Randy reached for his wallet before Rebecca knew what he was doing. 

“What are you doing,” she turned on him with a glare. 

“I’m paying for our lunch,” he said simply. 

“What,” she glared at him.  “There is no our lunch.  Don’t you get it?” she asked him as insultingly as possible.  He was absolutely the biggest pain in her ass. 

“Yeah, I get it.  You’re a lesbian, so what,” he said with a shrug.   

The young man behind the counter started at Randy’s words.  He was so shocked, he didn’t know what to say as he handed the change back. 

“Thanks,” Randy said as he pocketed the change.   

The man couldn’t get to the kitchen fast enough.  As soon as the door shut on him, he broke out in rapid Korean.  A loud conversation was taking place in the kitchen and Rebecca had a horrible idea she knew exactly who it was about.  She glared at the tall guy as she reached past him for her jumbo cola from the cooler. 

“Fuckin’ asshole,” she muttered.   

He smiled at her words.  Now he was getting somewhere. He reached for a water and followed her to the only open table. 

“Do you mind,” she said as he started to pull out a chair in preparation for sitting down. 

“No honey.  I don’t mind at all,” Randy said with a smile.   

He leaned back and stared at her with his smile firmly in place.  He cracked the seal on the bottle and took a long drink.  She watched in amazement as his adam’s apple bobbed, proving how much water he was actually swallowing.  He was leaning back in his chair with his legs relaxed and spread open as he finished a full two liter bottle of water. 

“Damn, I guess I should have bought a few more,” he said as he stood up and walked back to grab two more bottles.  He opened his wallet and put some money on the unattended counter.  There was still a loud conversation going on in the kitchen, he could hear. 

He was damn pretty, she thought as she replayed him tipping his head back and drinking all that water.  Yeah, but he knows it, she reminded herself.  Besides, she wasn’t interested in any damn sales man.  The more time she spent with him, the more of a salesman he became to her.  The fact that he didn’t take no for an answer.  The fact the he was a pushy bastard.  The fact that he paid for their meal in preparation to thinking he was going to swoop in for the kill, so to speak.  Get your head out of your ass, she chided herself as she watched him saunter back, yeah that was the right term, she thought.  Saunter back to their table, her damn table. 

“There’s an open table now,” she pointed to a table that had just been vacated.  It was still full of dirty dishes and someone’s remains of their meal. 

“So there is,” Randy said but made no move to it.  He settled back in his chair again and waited.  He really was intrigued by this woman and he wanted to learn about her.   

“Tell me, Rebecca?  What does a beautiful young lesbian do in this town for fun,” he smirked as he raised his water to his lips.  She rolled her eyes at him.   

“Very funny.  Well, first we all get together and we get really liquored up.  Then we all go to the local titty bar, armed with plenty of bills.  After a couple of hours of some hot lap dances and some titty teases, we all find a place to crash so we can get busy and take turns eating each other out,” she finished with a smile.   

Randy was silent at her words.  He was momentarily stunned, he didn’t know what to say.  He kept repeating her words to himself and getting damn distracted.  Sounded like a hell of a thing he’d like to see.  She saw that he’d finally lost his smirk.  She was proud of the fact that she’d managed to wipe it off his face, finally. 

“When do you think you might be doing this, um, activity again,” he asked with his grin back in place. 

“Tonight, of course.  It’s all set,” she lied.   

Her cramps were kicking her ass, but she couldn’t help the bullshit she was feeding this guy.  He actually seemed like he was believing her?  What an idiot. 

“Too bad I’m busy,” he grinned at her, thinking of the required photo shoot that brought him out to this backwater place. 

“Yeah, too bad.  We might have let you play, but sorry.  No changes to our schedules just to suit some guy,” she said with an exaggerated sigh.  

All banter stopped as their server brought their food out to them.  Mrs. Chou looked sharply at Rebecca, but didn’t say anything as she backed away from the table. 

“Seems you made an impression here,” Randy joked as he unfolded his napkin and chopsticks.   

She watched his actions, wanting to see how he’d cope with the extremely hot food in front of him.  He’d snapped the sticks apart and picked up the first morsel skillfully and put it in his mouth.  She didn’t have long to wait.  His face flushed, and his eyes opened wide.  He opened his lips a little so he could suck some cooling air in, at least enough to swallow.  As he swallowed, he glared at her.  She grinned at him, unabashed.  That’s what he got for forcing his unwanted company on her, she thought. 

“God damn,” he gasped quietly as he grabbed his water and tipped it into his mouth.   

She smiled as she ate her pleasantly mild teriyaki.  Several long minutes passed as she ate in silence and he glared at her. 

 “I guess I deserved that,” Randy said slowly as he met her eyes.   

He had finished off his second bottle of water as his tongue tried to regain some sensation.  She stayed silent but smiled as she ate more of her harmless chicken.  His eyes narrowed at her and he reached across the table and snagged a piece of her chicken with his sticks. 

“Hey,” Rebecca said as he grabbed food from her plate. 

“This is good shit,” he said as he finished his stolen bite. 

“Told ya they had good food here,” she said as she tried to slap his hand away from her plate.   

He snagged some more and enjoyed the next mouthful even more.  He reached for his next bite, but she pulled her plate away. 

“Are you gonna eat all my lunch,” she demanded of him.  She just needed to eat enough so she could take some drugs to help get her damn cramps under control. 

“No, I thought I’d help you,” he said as he snagged some more.  “Besides, I don’t want to have to drink my lunch if I don’t need to,” he said in reference to his protein purchases. 

“Take it,” she said, pushing her plate his way.  She was done anyway and didn’t want to play with him any more.  She didn’t even know his name.   

“What’s you name anyway,” she asked him as he chewed another bite. 

Her question caught him by surprise.  He chewed a little more than necessary so he could absorb that.  This woman really didn’t know who he was?  Serious?  Did she live in a cave or something?  No, but she obviously didn’t watch much TV or surf the net, he guessed. 

“Sorry,” he said as he wiped his hand on his napkin.  “My name’s Randy Orton,” he said as he reached across the table.  She took his large hand in hers and gripped it slightly.   

“I’d like to lie and say it’s been nice to meet you, but I think I’m done pretending for the day.  Thanks for lunch,” she said as she pushed her chair back and stepped away from the table without a glance to the other occupant.   

She was out the door quickly and almost ran back to the store.  She didn’t want to be followed again.   

She grabbed her purse and keys and said over her shoulder as she went out the back, “I’m going home, Mom.  I got all the stocking done.  See you tomorrow.”   

The door closed on her and she was free.  She unlocked her piece of shit toyota and climbed in.  Five minutes later, she was in her bathroom, tipping open her bottle of advil.  Another five minutes later, she was asleep on her bed. 

Randy walked back into the store just a few minutes behind her.  He stayed to finish her meal.  He was hungry and it was good.  He scanned the store quickly, looking for a brown head of long hair.  He started to get a feeling she’d ditched him again.

 “Can I help you?  Oh,” Mrs. Shoal said as she recognized the handsome tall young man from earlier. 

“Is Rebecca here,” Randy asked.  He thought he knew what her answer was going to be before she even said it. 

“She went home early.  Said she wasn’t feeling well,” her mother supplied innocently to the virtual stranger.   

Damn, he thought.  He didn’t even get her number.  He nodded at her mother and left.  Damn, he didn’t even know her last name, he realized hours later as he was pulling into the arena parking lot.  He looked over at his purchases and smiled.  There was a receipt in there.  A receipt with the business name and number.  Maybe he wasn’t totally screwed after all. 

That thought still made him smile several hours later as he parked the car and grabbed his bag.  He nodded to the guys standing near the access gates.  They both smiled back at him.  They'd already been warned that some of the talent would probably have a companion with them and they wouldn't need or be required to have a pass.  Randy Orton's name was mentioned in particular, so both of the men were a little surprised to see the young superstar pass them unescorted.  He was already thinking about what he wanted to do this evening and how he wanted to do it and it didn't have anything to do with his match tonight.  Now he just had to figure out how to accomplish it. 

He saw Booker T and nodded as he started to walk past him.  He paused as a thought occurred to him. 

"Hey, Booker," he asked the five time champ. 

Booker paused in his intimate conversation with his stunning bride and nodded as he acknowledge the Legend Killer.

 "Have you seen Dave yet," he asked.   

Booker was quiet for a moment.  It had been a long week leading up to this pay per view and days tended to run together after a while. 

"I think so, Randy.  I thought I saw him and Carrie arrive half an hour or so ago," Booker informed the younger man.  

Sharmel continued to stroke her husband's broad back during the brief interruption.  Randy was not unaware of the continued intimate contact, but he ignored it. 

"Great.  Carrie's here too?  Great.  Thanks," Randy said as he smiled his thanks and quickly walked away so the newlyweds could continue.   

Whenever he saw them backstage, they were always close, almost always touching in some way.  He'd never had any kind of relationship where he even thought about behaving like that all the time.  The newness usually wore off for him after a few weeks at most and he couldn't pry them off fast enough.   

He found the locker room and set his bag down.  He glanced around and didn't see Dave, but he did recognize his bags.  It was still too early to change so he just left his bag in the room and went in search of them. 

He ran into Dave talking quietly with Benoit.  Both looked intense so he hesitated to interrupt them.  He wasn't that rude, regardless of what other's thought. 

"What's up," Dave asked as he noticed Randy waiting. 

"Um, I'm looking for Big Sis.  Is she here today," Randy asked.  He hoped so, since he was counting on her being able to help him further his plan. 

"Yeah," Benoit spoke up.  "Go check catering.  She said something about getting something warm."   

Randy smiled his thanks and left them to their conversation.  Both men watched the younger man leave with a little trepidation.  What the hell did he want now, David thought.  Don't screw with her boy, was Chris's immediate thought.

 After stopping to talk to a few friends, he saw she was exactly where Benoit said.  The only problem was, she was talking to The Undertaker.  Damn, he fussed.  Now what?  After a quick debate, he walked over to where the two were standing, near the coffee and teas. 

"Hi, Killer," Big Sis said with a smile as he walked up.   

'Taker turned to look at the younger man, but made no comment.  He was proud of himself for not growling at him.  He was feeling particularly snarly today and Randy was a perfect person to snarl at in his mind.  But he minded his manners because Carrie was with him.  He didn't say he had to like it, so he didn't bother with any false pleasantries.  He looked down at her as he felt her quick jab in his ribs at his continued silence to the new arrival.  She knew, she always did. 

"How's the legend killing business these days," she teased him mercilessly.   

She knew both of them were aware of the irony of her words, since she was standing with one of the legends. 

"It's good.  But that's not what I want to talk about.  I have a question and a favor," Randy said as he met her eyes.   

He saw her eyes crinkle at the corners, but her lips didn't betray her amusement.  He knew her well enough to know she was curious, but also thought it funny that he wanted her help.  She turned to the big man on her right and reached for his hand to give it a friendly squeeze.   

"See you later and thanks," she said.   

He nodded and walked away as he glared a hole in the younger man.  Randy got the message, don't piss him off today.  And if he screwed with her, that'd definitely fall into the category of pissing him off. 

"What's crawled up his butt," Randy asked as he watched the Deadman walk away. 

"Ah, he's having a shitty day.  But he was nice enough to give me some ideas," Big Sis supplied. 

"Ideas?  For what?  How to scare small children," Randy joked.  Carrie sighed as she looked at him.   

"You have no idea."  At his continued blank look, she thought she'd enlighten him, just a little.  "He was giving me some ideas for things that young boys like.  I don't have kids and in case you've forgotten, he does.  I have a nephew that is really tough to shop for, but now I have some ideas, thanks to him," she finished.   

Randy blinked at her information.  He'd never really thought about The Undertaker having any family, especially kids.  He knew he was married, but it never occurred to him about any kids. 

"Oh hell, sorry Big Sis.  I didn't know," he admitted with a shrug.   

She nodded at his admission and waited for what he wanted.  He was always asking her for stuff, even after all the months of being away from Evolution, he still asked for help with things.  She remembered her fist weeks traveling with SmackDown, he'd hunted her down so he could pick her brain about some travel stuff.  Randy saw his opening and jumped in with his question.  He'd never been shy before, why start now? 

"I want to send some stuff to a store in town, but I don't know...where to start," he admitted.   

She sighed and raked her fingers through her hair.  She knew it.  It was one of those kind of questions. 

"Okay," she sighed again.  She reached into the pocket of her slacks and pulled out her phone to check the time.  They had tons of time before things got busy.   

"So tell me," she said as she reached for his offered arm and walked away with him.  Several heads turned as they left, but there wasn't anything abnormal in that. 

*** 

She checked the time on her watch quickly as the door shut behind David.  She saw him reach for his bags in the back and wave as he walked away into the arena.  He knew she would be back soon.  She just had to pick up some special visitors that were flying in for the show.  She checked again on the flight status and saw it was still on time.  The car pulled away and pointed back at the airport to pick up the next batch of passengers. 

Carrie replayed yesterday's conversation with Kris. 

"I can't come, we might not be able to go at all.  But don't tell the girls that.  They'll be heartbroken," Kris said.  They both knew that the girls had been counting down the days until this pay per view. 

"I won't.  Why?  What's up," Carrie asked.  She knew that Kris had planned on attending with the girls as their chaperone. 

"Lissa is sick, maybe an ear infection.  I don't know.  But I am not going to risk it.  We have an appointment later today," Kris explained. 

"Oh, poor baby.  No wonder I can hear her," Carried chuckled.  Lissa’s loud wailing and complaining was easy to hear through the phone. 

"Yeah, she's not happy and she doesn't fell well.  How am I going to tell the girls they can't go?  Liz is so excited to finally get to meet John that she didn't sleep much last night." 

"They can still come," Carrie said tentatively.  She knew how excited her niece was, she had been peppering her with emails full of questions for the last few weeks. 

"The only way that would work is if you get stuck with them for the night.  I'm damn sure you don't want to do that," Kris reminded her sister. 

"Oh?  I wouldn't mind.  But do you think they can fly by themselves?  It's a three hour flight," Carrie asked her sister. 

"Liz has done it before.  Jess, I'm not so sure of.  Let me check with her family and I'll call you back.  Can you see what, if anything, we need to do for the airlines since they're minors," Kris asked. 

"Of course.  Doing it as we speak," Carrie assured her. 

Now she was on her way to pick up two anxious and over excited teenagers at the airport.  Getting Mr. and Mrs. Ngyuen's approval had been easy.  They also knew how excited Jess was and they tended to indulge their only child.  As the limo pulled up to let her out, she gathered her various bits and pieces.  She reminded the driver that she would page him once the other passengers had arrived.  She squared her shoulders and walked into one of her least favorite airports.  There was no specific reason she disliked Detroit’s more than most others, but she did.  She glanced at the signs that pointed to the arrival gates for the airline.  She had a few minutes until the girls touched down to get there before they did. 

She was oblivious to all the other travelers in the airport as she single mindedly made her way to pick up her niece and friend.  She didn't want them to have to wait for her and possibly get lost or distracted.  If she had been aware, she would've noticed a large contingent of WWE fans milling around as they struggled to find the correct concourse for baggage claim. 

She found the correct gate and stood off to the side so she could see them without having to try to look over impossibly tall people that always crowded the front.  She flipped out her portable and sent a quick text letting Liz know she was waiting for them at the gate.  She hoped they'd followed her advice and only packed a carry on each.  It was only one night and tomorrow morning, but she knew how excited they both were so she had her doubts about her niece's luggage. 

People started coming through the gate and she held her ground off to the side, in spite of repeated attempts by some ignoramuses to shift her out of their way.   The girls flew business class, so they should be out soon, she knew.  She saw Liz's tall dark head through the crowd and pushed her way past the ignorant assholes and waved at her.  She could see Liz’s worried frown look for her and then finally see her.  She went from a frown to a mile wide grin in a blink of an eye.  She saw that Jess was right behind her friend, grinning also. 

"Hi, Aunt Carrie.  Our flight was so cool.  You wouldn't believe all the cool things they have on the plane.  The attendant was so cool, but also really cute..." Liz continued as Carrie reached out and hugged her.  She grabbed Jess and gave her a quick hug too.  She saw and heard that Liz was still talking a mile a minute and shook her head.  If she didn't interrupt her, she'd talk non stop for the next several hours. 

"Are these the only bags you have," she asked her chattering niece.  Liz inhaled and looked at her bag in her hand and nodded.  "Great, follow me so we can get the heck out of here," Carrie said to the two girls.   

She saw both girls nod and follow her.  She could hear them talking to each other quickly about all the cool things on the plane, pointing out various weird things in the airport and a hundred other things that caught their eye.  Lots of giggles accompanied their chatter.  Carrie tuned most of it out, knowing if she listened to all of it, all the time, she'd get a huge headache in no time.  As she strode through the airport she flipped open her cell and paged the driver.  Once that was done, she was free to slow down and wait for the chatty girls. 

"Wow, look at that," she heard Jess say. 

"Yeah, think we can find one of those tonight," Liz remarked.   

That was enough to get Carrie to tune back in to their conversation.  She saw they had both stopped and were staring at some brunette that was decked out, head to toe, in Cena gear.  She guessed the woman's age at mid twenties, but it was tough to tell sometimes.  Her clothing wasn't the most remarkable thing about her, though.  It was her hair and makeup that set her apart from every other pedestrian in that area of the concourse.  Carrie knew exactly what the woman was hoping to accomplish tonight, by her big hair and exaggerated makeup.  She hoped that wasn't what Liz and Jess were raving about.  She wasn't sure she wanted to field those kind of questions yet.  Not for the first or last time today, she questioned her sanity for volunteering to squire two pretty teenage girls around. 

Carrie thought she’d be brave and ask, “What did you want to find tonight?”  She hoped it was something harmless or she’d be on the phone quicker than shit to her sister, asking for help. 

“That shirt.  It’s so cool, Aunt Carrie.  Do they sell those at the arena and do you think we could get one,” Liz asked excitedly.  Jess was nodding her head in excitement too.  Thank God that was all, their worried aunt thought. 

“Um, I’m pretty sure you can get a shirt tonight.  He might even autograph it for you if you ask him,” Carrie said with a gentle smile for the two girls.   

At the thought of asking their favorite wrestler to autograph anything, both started to giggle and blush.  Oh dear God, Carrie though to herself as she took a deep breath.  She knew vaguely what tonight’s program was, but there could always be last minute changes so she kept her mouth shut and didn’t ruin it for the girls.  John had asked her to arrange a few things and he had also hinted that he had a few surprises for his special visitors tonight so she was curious to see what he had up his sleeve.  She already knew they had ring side tickets, she’d picked them up this morning while David was doing some media stuff. 

She cut through their chatter with, “There’s the car.  Grab your stuff girls so we can get this day rolling.”  She saw Jess’s eyes were wide as she looked at the large limo that Carrie walked towards.  She’d never ridden in a limo before. 

“C’mon, Jess.  We don’t want to be left behind.  Remember what my mom said?  Aunt Carrie is used to being on time, all the time and we don’t want to piss her off,” Liz reminded her surprised friend.  Jess slowly nodded her head, making her long black hair shift off her shoulders. Both girls climbed in quietly, afraid to touch anything. 

“Where to now, Aunt Carrie,” Liz asked.  Carrie looked up from her portable with a smile.  She had just typed a quick text to David and Kris telling both of them that the precious and precocious cargo was safe and en route. 

“Hotel first, ladies.  I’m sure you don’t want to carry all that stuff around.  Then we grab something to eat, then we go to the arena.  We should be there in plenty of time to see your dad, Liz.  And if we’re lucky, we might run into John Cena.”   

She watched both of the girls absorb the itinerary silently.  They seemed to have run out of things to talk about already, Carrie mused.  Maybe they were just overwhelmed.  Yeah, that was more likely.  Her only worry about tonight was that there were no spare rooms at their hotel.  There shouldn’t be any need, since she’d already confirmed everyone, but she liked to have a contingency plan, too. 

“Do you always get to ride in a limo, Aunt Carrie,” Jess asked her.  Carrie hid her surprise at being called Aunt by Jess.  It was so rare that Jess was brave enough to talk to her directly that she wasn’t going to squelch her. 

“No, honey.  Sometimes we get stuck in a mini van,” Aunt Carrie replied with a laugh.  Jess wasn’t sure if she was serious so she stopped her smile, just in case. 

“She’s kidding, Jess.  Aunt Carrie hates mini vans, remember,” Liz reminded her friend.   

“Honestly Jess.  We don’t always get limos.  Sometimes Liz’s dad has to put up with my driving and that’s always a treat.”  Carrie saw Liz’s smile at her joke, but Jess wasn’t sure so she quieted down for now and turned to look out the windows.  Both girls became occupied with the scenery that had long past held any interest to her.   

The quiet and their preoccupation gave Carrie a chance to really look at the girls out of their home environment.  Both of them were taller than her, Liz by quite a bit.  Liz’s dark waves had grown past her shoulders again, making Carrie think that she was probably changing her hair style for the third time in the last year.  As she glanced back at her niece she realized for the first time that she was already a very pretty young woman with beautiful olive skin, large dark eyes like her father and a figure that many women would kill for.  Jess had long heavy black hair that hung to her mid back when it wasn’t pulled back.  She had also blossomed into a beautiful young lady with her hazel eyes and lovely skin.  She didn’t envy either set of parents or the challenges they would face beating back the young men that were bound to flock to them.  She reminded herself they were in her care tonight and tomorrow and God help any dumb shit that even thought about getting out of line. 

“What does this do,” Liz asked as she flipped a switch.  The sun roof opened obediently. 

“Cool,” was all Jess said in response.   

Their aunt shook her head at them and let them play with all the buttons and switches.  If she was either of their parents, she would probably be telling them to stop touching stuff, but she wasn’t so she didn’t.  She was there to protect them and make sure they were safe, but she didn’t want to have to be a hard ass too, unless absolutely necessary. 

“What did you want to eat tonight,” Carrie asked them.  Both looked at her and shrugged.  They didn’t care. 

“Burgers,” Aunt Carrie asked.   

“That’d be great,” Liz said, speaking for both of them.  Carrie mentally went over the list of burger places near the hotel and realized there were quite a few within walking distance, something she wanted to do to burn some of the girls’ nervous energy off before they went to the arena.   

The car stopped and their door was opened for them by their helpful driver.  Jess and Liz stepped out with wide smiles.  They didn’t know he opened their door for them too.  They watched as Aunt Carrie bent close to speak to him and watched him nod at her words. 

“Thank you.  See you in a while.  Thanks, Troy,” Carrie said and turned to the girls.  “Well,” she teased them.  “Grab your bags and let’s go scope out your room.”   

Carrie hoped they be able to make it through the lobby and up to their rooms without running into any of the boys.  She wasn’t sure the girls were ready for that.  She knew they’d both want to spend some time getting ready to leave and would be upset if they ran into someone famous before they had a chance to look their best.  Carrie didn’t think either needed any help, they were both already very pretty and exotic.  God help them when they were legal, she worried.  God help her tonight, she reminded herself. 

They bypassed the main desk since she had checked them in earlier and picked up their key cards and headed straight to the elevator.  So far so good, she thought to herself.  None of the talent seemed to be at the hotel yet or they had already left.  Carrie punched the call button for the elevator and waited impatiently.  The girls had resumed their chatter as soon as they stepped through into the lobby, remarking on the decor, other patrons clothing and numerous other things that Carrie tried to listen to with only half an ear.  She frowned when she realized they had stopped and were silent.  She turned to look at them to make sure they were okay and saw Big Red approaching them and the elevator.  She smiled at him once he made eye contact.  His return smile changed his countenance so dramatically that the girls almost got brave enough to say something. 

“Good to see you, Min,” ‘Taker said with a smile as he took in the two younger ladies with quick glance.  “You bringing your younger sisters tonight,” he teased.   

They both knew he was doing it for the girls benefit.  She’d told him of her worries about the girls earlier today and he’d just chuckled at her.  The elevator’s arrival forestalled any other conversation as they piled in.  The girls had remained silent in face of the imposing figure, even though it appeared their aunt knew him.  

“Ladies, let me introduce you to The Undertaker,” she said with a smile since no one else was in the elevator with them.  He reached out his massive hand to Liz.   

“Elizabeth Batista,” Carrie said as he gently shook her hand.  She nodded, but her eyes were huge.  He released her hand and stretched toward the other young beauty.   

“Jessica Ngyuen,” Carrie told him as he took her small hand in his, again with a surprisingly light touch, or so the girls thought.   

Carrie winked at him, knowing he was well aware of their reasons for their quiet.  He’d run into daily for so many years it didn’t affect him any more.  The elevator stopped at their floor and they all piled out, ‘Taker holding the door open for all of them. 

“Everything still a go,” Carrie asked him cryptically.  He nodded as his eyes stayed on the two younger girls.  He hid his smile, but he now understood her worries about tonight.  She was going to have a full time job keeping some of the younger boys away from the two beauties in front of him.  He had every confidence in her abilities, even if she didn’t.  She might need a stiff drink later, but she’d protect them like a momma bear does her cubs.  That analogy made him smile.   

It was with that smile still in place that he turned to the two young ladies and said quietly, “It was nice to meet you.  I hope you have a good time tonight.  Don’t let your aunt bully you too much.”   

The last remark earned him a mutinous glare from Carrie, but she kept her tongue as she watched the two awe struck teenagers mumble their thanks and try to keep their calm as they turned and followed their aunt.  They missed the wide grin that ‘Taker flashed as they turned away.  Oh yeah, he thought.  Tonight was going to be very interesting.  He wondered if he’d get to see any of it. 

“Oh my God!”  Carrie was surprised to hear the comment from the normally quiet Jess.  “He’s even bigger than your dad,” she directed to Liz.   

Carrie stayed quiet and hid her smile as she slipped the card through the lock and listened to it click open. 

“Ladies,” Carrie said expansively as she opened the door into their room. 

“Oh my God!”  Carrie heard Jess say again as she stepped through and looked around.  The room was large with two king beds, large television and game console that she’d paid extra for, just in case.  Plus there were two large gift baskets full of goodies, compliments of their favorite wrestler, sitting on the table. 

“Liz, look!  It has my name on it,” Jess said in wonder.  Liz grinned as she spied her name on the other.  “Wonder who they’re from?” 

“I don’t know, but only one way to find out,” Liz said as she ripped open the card.  Carrie watched Liz read the card quickly and saw her blush.  “Jess!  Read your card, you won’t believe it.” 

Jess’ reaction was similar to her friend’s.  Both girls looked at each other and squealed with delight.  Carrie reminded herself that she could not take any aspirin for the headache that was threatening. 

“Aren’t you ladies going to open them to see all the cool stuff?  He shopped for that stuff especially for you,” she teased them with.   

They both gasped at the idea of John Cena actually shopping for anything.  Didn’t he have people that did that kind of stuff?  He actually went into a store and bought stuff for them?  It was too much to believe. 

“But, Aunt Carrie.  It looks so pretty with the bow and everything,” Jess said.  Liz nodded, but had glimpsed a few of the things tucked in and was excited by the baskets. 

“Did either of you bring your cameras,” Carrie asked.   

She received emphatic nods.  She had a feeling they would have left their makeup home rather than forget their cameras.   

“Take a picture of the basket before you open it so you can show your friends.  You know they won’t believe anything you tell them.” 

“Good idea,” Liz said in a daze.  Before long both girls had dug out their miniscule digital cameras and took a couple of shots. 

“Ladies,” Carrie said as she held out her hand for the small devices.  “Go stand with them so people can see how big they are.”  The suggestion was thought brilliant by them and they complied.   

“Okay, open them for goodness sakes.  There might be stuff in there for tonight, you never know.  Or you might want to take some of it so you can get it signed.”   

Carrie knew most of the stuff that was in the baskets because she had to find out sizes from Kris for shoes, shirts, hats.  Plus she knew it held autographed cd’s, games and a few of his favorite cd’s that he thought they might like to listen to.  She watched and listened as the girls discovered their treasures and exclaimed over everything, still trying to imagine John Cena shopping for stuff for them. 

Carrie snuck a glance at her watch and was shocked to realize how late it was.  Damn, she’d had to make a few adjustments to their timeline, particularly food. 

“Okay, it’s time to get ready ladies.  I’ll order some food from room service since time seems to be flying by,” she smiled at both of the girls.   

They were still dazed at the baskets in front of them.  Liz finally stirred enough to realize her aunt was trying to get them to get their asses in gear. 

"C'mon Jess," she said as she tugged the other girl in the bathroom with her.   

Carrie blew out her breath in relief, knowing that the girls were at least started getting ready.  She picked up the phone in the room and proceeded to order some food for all of them.  She knew she was due to eat again soon, so it made sense to add a few things for her.  She'd spotted the balcony earlier and would probably have to resort to that once the girls’ burgers arrived.   

Liz ran out of the bathroom with a squeal and picked up her bag.  She ran right back in without a word to her aunt.  Carrie sat down in one of the living room type chairs, picking up her portable as she did so.  She'd promised she’d text or email Mike once they were safe.  She thought she'd drop John a line too, just to let him know. 

John was sitting in a meeting fighting extreme boredom as his phone buzzed him.  He was grateful for the interruption.  The meeting was about marketing strategies for the future.  He had no input, he was just supposed to listen to what the office had in store for him, and only voice objections to anything he found offensive.  So far, he'd only laughed at some of the ideas.  That had earned him scowls from everyone else at the table.  So, he'd shut up and tried to pay attention, but he'd been drifting and he knew it.  The buzzing of his cell brought him back to reality.  He flipped it open unobtrusively.  He looked down and scrolled through his message.  His sudden smile brought attention to his actions. 

"Something funny, Cena," asked James, WWE's golden boy of marketing.   

There was no love lost between the two men.  James didn't bother to hide it.  He had no problem marketing John Cena, the WWE property, but he didn't like the man behind the facade.  If asked why, he wouldn't be able to explain his hostility.  John's brows rose, knowing he'd been busted not paying attention to the world's most boring ass meeting again.  He thought he'd be honest.  It'd get him in less hot water instead of trying to bullshit the WWE's biggest bullshitters sitting around the table. 

"Nah, just got a message telling me a friend arrived safe," John said blandly.   

All eyes focused back on the James, waiting for his response.  The small dark haired man chewed over his words, looking for something to pick at.  Malice narrowed James' eyes as he found a nugget. 

"Is that friend more important to you than this meeting, Cena?  We're not keeping you from anything, are we," James asked.   

The few others at the table kept their expressions blank, knowing how volatile the new head of marketing could be.  John slid his ball cap back on his head before he opened his mouth on the automatic words that threatened.  He'd never understood the other man's hostility, but knew he'd never be able to do anything right in his eyes. 

"More important?  You bet.  My friends and family are always more important than some bullshit meeting rehashing the same shit we talked about last week," John said meeting his antagonist’s eyes.   

James' eyes flashed in glee, thinking he'd just egged on the champ enough in front of the boss.  

"John's right.  We're not covering new ground here," Shane said directly to James, his father's newest wonder boy.  John flicked his eyes to Shane and saw a minute wink directed his way. 

"How can you say that," James protested.  "This strategy, this timeline has to be updated constantly," James started to whine in the face of criticism to his tactics.

 "Yeah, whatever," Shane said with a tired wave of his hand.  "Get out of here, Johnny.  Go see your girl," Shane said. 

 John jumped up from the table with a grin.  He barely managed to stop himself from childishly sticking out his tongue at James.   

"Hey, I didn't say she was my girl," John protested as he neared the door. 

"You didn't have to," Shane said with a smile.  James was unable to hide his anger at the company's biggest money maker.  "You got something you want to say, Mister Anderson," Shane asked the seething man. 

"No," was the only response as James picked up his portfolio, pens and laptop.   

He stuffed his laptop unceremoniously into it's bag, shoving all his other materials in where ever they'd fit.  Shane watched the other man in silence.  Watched his temper at having his favorite toy pulled away from him, and John Cena was without a doubt, James Anderson's favorite toy, even if the man was unwilling to admit it.  The two others in the room stayed quiet in response to their boss's silence.  They sensed he might have more to say once James left. 

The door shut behind the small man with a loud click.  Almost but not quite slamming it, Shane mused. 

"You've got your hands full with that one, boss," Marci said.  She helped in shaping some of the present marketing success, in spite of Anderson's ideas.  Shane blew his breath out slowly. 

"I know, I know," he said as he raked his fingers through his hair. 

"What's he got against Cena," she asked.   

It didn't make a damn bit of sense to her.  John had always done what they'd asked, even some of the more outrageous stunts.  His merchandise was outselling everything else, in part thanks to his willingness to follow their program. 

"I think it's more of what he'd like to get against Cena," Shane said quietly.   

Marci blinked, trying to turn over Shane's words to have them mean anything other than the obvious.  She frowned at him. 

"You don't think?" 

"Oh hell yeah, I think.  I haven't seen anyone have it that bad in years.  I thought we were done with all the backroom shit," Shane said. 

"Think John knows," Marci asked with a grin.  Shane shrugged. 

"Wouldn't surprise me.  He isn't as stupid as he portrays, believe me," Shane said as he stood.  It was the signal the other two were waiting for. 

"You learn something everyday," Marci mused as she walked out with her boss.  The other man at the table had stayed quiet during the exchange, but found the possibility of twisting a knife into his hated rival very intriguing.    

***  

Carrie looked back at the two anxious girls as they rode to the arena. 

"Whatever happens, don't go with anyone, other than me or your dad, unless we say it's okay.  Is that understood?"  

Both girls nodded solemnly at their aunt, impressed by her serious tone.  Carrie nodded in acceptance of their agreement and let it drop, for now.  Backstage wasn't always a safe place, particularly for two pretty girls.  Carrie bit back a grin as she considered their attire.  She knew that neither of their mothers would normally let them out of the house dressed in too tight, low slung jeans, topped off with a Cena jersey.  The jersey wasn't the issue, it was the leave nothing to the imagination jeans that would give their parents heart palpitations. 

David's reaction was going to amuse her, she knew.  And she was going to remember it so she could tell her sister.  Her rumination was cut short as the limo slowed as they lined up to turn into the arena underground parking.  The girls giggled nervously opposite her.  What the hell had she gotten herself into, she worried again.  

The car finally stopped and Troy opened their door for them.  He helped Carrie out first, waiting until she nodded to help out the girls.  Carrie'd done a quick scan of the area, making sure they wouldn't be ambushed by any of the talent.  The coast was clear so far.  Everyone had their passes hung around their necks, the girls in John Cena lanyards.  Carrie had chuckled when the girls pulled them out of their gift baskets.  Something so simple and they thought it was so cool. 

The security waved them through.  They'd been briefed by several of the night's talent and knew they had better not give the small woman or the two girls with her any shit.  The mood in the back area was relatively somber, Carrie noted.  She knew her two charges weren't aware of it.  They were too wired to notice anything other than all the large hunks of men walking around.  The girls' hushed voices followed her as they veered past the make shift office for the night. 

"If it isn't my favorite girls," Ric's voice sounded behind