• More background on those Batista’s – long boring flights and active imaginations
• Christy seals her own fate.
• Big thanks to Nan for this graphic, it rocks!!!
• I used some interesting songs in this one, trying to keep things interesting but also fitting.
• This chapter was going to be much longer, but I decided to chop it into smaller, bite sized pieces.  More is on it’s way soon.
• This one's working title was On the Way To Oz

Feedback: always appreciated!

I’ve been a rock and I’ve got my fences
I never let them down
When it comes to love, I keep my senses
I don’t get kicked around
I shivered once you broke into my soul
The damage is done now I’m out of control
How did you get to me?

No one else on earth could ever hurt me
Break my heart the way you do
No one else on earth was ever worth it
No one can love me like
No one can love me like you

                Wynonna – No One Else On Earth 

Kris was nervously smoothing her skirt for the twentieth time in the last five minutes as she checked the clock again.  What if he wasn’t coming?  What if one of the kids was sick and he had to cancel tonight?  Would she have the guts to try again?  She’d asked Carrie to vacate for the night and she knew her sister knew exactly why.  She’d smiled at her and nodded without a word.  She remembered blushing at her own sister as she was stepping out the door with her over night bag in hand and looked back at her and winked.  Geeze, that made her blush?  What was she, some school girl?  Hardly.  She wasn’t some blushing virgin either.  But it had been a long time since she’d actually set out to seduce with a purpose. 

He had been painfully patient and she was surprised that Dave had stuck around.  They’d been seeing each other for four months and she had told him that she wasn’t ready.  In truth, she’d wanted to jump him on their first date, but was still apprehensive and unsure.  He definitely tripped her trigger and she’d been tormenting herself for months with visions of him naked.  But she’d also been unsure of herself and a little scared of him.  Not because he was a man.  She’d gotten over that after a few months and letting her body heal.  She’d been scared that she wouldn’t be able to enjoy sex with him or sex with any man.  But most especially him because he was a big man.  She swallowed again as she imagined how big of a man he must be.  Dear lord, maybe this was a mistake.  No, she’d been wanting to do this for a while now.   

All that had been standing in her way was having Carrie meet him.  She remembered her promise to her sister in the hospital and she kept her word.  She remembered how shaken her parents were when they sat patiently by her bedside.  She knew that they thought she was sleeping a lot of the time, but she wasn’t.  She’d heard some of their conversations and realized her parents had known about Alan, but hadn’t wanted to dictate to her.  Her mom knew her too well.  If dictated to, she just got stubborn and did exactly what she wanted regardless. 

She wondered what her parents would think of Dave.  Would they keep their opinions to themselves, even if they were bad like they had last time?  She hoped not, but then she didn’t think they’d have a bad opinion of Dave anyway.  He was such a sweet man, such a big teddy bear inside.  Over the months, she’d watched him with his kids and saw a different man than the face she knew he must present when he worked at the clubs.  Big Softy would never scare anybody into behaving at clubs, so she knew there was more to him than the soft side she’d seen so far.  He’d only ever been gentle with her.  He seemed to know that was what she needed. 

She risked a glance at the clock and saw only a few minutes had passed since the last time she checked.  She really was going to make herself crazy if she kept looking at the clock and checking the oven every few minutes.  Thinking of that made her flip the light on and peek at the slowly bubbling pasta.  He'd call if he couldn't make it, so she should just calm down.  He'd arrive soon enough.  A pair of brown eyes watched her as she paced and she smiled at him.  He was so patient, so she thought she'd grab his leash and they'd go for a quick walk to stretch her legs and to give him a chance to do something, if he needed.  Dave would leave a message on her machine if she missed his call.  She just needed to get out and stop worrying so much. 

Killer barked his approval at her plan as she reached for his collar and attached the leash.  She checked everything one last time, grabbed a couple of bags, just in case and she and Killer were out her door quickly.  A quick walk around the block would do both of them some good, she reasoned.  She hadn’t bothered with a coat because it was one of those crazy days where it was almost spring like, no matter what the calendar said.  But she knew it wouldn’t last.  It was still too early in the year.  She and Killer made good time around the block.  He didn’t meet anyone he felt the need to terrorize and she was able to relax and forget her nervousness for the time being.  She turned the corner into the parking lot and thought she saw Dave’s red mustang.  Her heart started to pound again.  Was he here already?  What would he think when he knocked and she wasn’t home?  The answer to her question was simple.  He waited back in his car.  He opened his door and climbed out with a smile for her.  She reached him with Killer doing his best attention demanding bark.  Killer thought he deserved attention from the big man first. 

“Okay, okay boy.  I see you.  I know you’re a good protector,” David grinned at her as he reached down and gave the dog a gentle touch on his head.  That simple touch was all he required, but he wanted to be first.  David stood back up with a smile and reached his arm around her and pulled her close.  

“I thought I was late,” he said kissing her neck. 

“No,” she lied.  ”You’re fine, but he needed to go out,” Kris explained as her thoughts were getting scrambled by his continued attention to her neck and ear.  She heard his quiet groan in acknowledgement and her insides did their usual flip flops in response to his attentions.  

“You smell good.  What are you wearing,” she asked, completely forgetting that they were standing in the parking lot of her apartment building.  He pulled away from her neck and chuckled.  He knew there were some curtains twitching in response to their little exhibition. 

“Don’t remember,” he lied.  “Why?  You like it,” he asked.  He hoped like hell she did because it had cost him a fortune, but the ladies at the club had assured him Kris would like it.  He was relieved that they seemed to have been right. 

“Yeah, it divine,” she smirked at him.  She brought her attention back to the present since he had pulled away from her.   

“I’ve got dinner already started,” she said as she took his hand and let Killer lead them up the stairs. 

“We’re not making dinner together,” he asked.  It was one of their favorite activities together.  He’d been amazed at how erotic cooking could be, but he wasn’t going to say anything for fear of making her uncomfortable or something. 

“No, I wanted to try something new and wanted to surprise you,” she said.   

She looked back at him and reached for the door knob.  It didn’t budge.  She frowned and reached into her skirt for the key.  Oh shit, she didn’t, did she?  She patted her pockets again in vain.   

“Shit,” Kris said loudly.  Inside she was thinking, fucking great move, lock yourself out of your own place when you’re trying to be smooth and calm and collected.  Now he’s gonna know you’re a fraud.  She’d been worried that once he found out that she wasn’t always so calm he’d run like hell the other way, but she’d managed to keep herself from losing control so far. 

“What’s up, honey?  You locked out,” David stated the obvious.   

She nodded silently and gnawed at her lower lip.  She ran through all the ways to get inside her place without having to resort to calling Carrie for the spare key.  David stepped back and looked around, trying to think of ways to get in.   

“Is your downstairs neighbor home,” he asked on a whim. 

“Jerry?  Yeah, he doesn’t go out much, remember?  Why,” she asked.   

He smiled and kissed her cheek as he turned down the stairs.  Kris was forced to follow to see what he had in mind.  David knocked on her downstairs neighbor’s door. 

“Yeah?  Waddaya want,” a gravely voice said from the other side of the door. 

“Kris locked herself out upstairs and we’re hoping you can help,” David said as mildly as possible.  The door opened and Kris saw the elderly men running a hand through his fringe of white hair, smoothing it down as he opened his door wider. 

“What did you go and do that fer,” Jerry asked her with his toothless grin.  

She smiled and shook her head.  No excuse really as far as she was concerned.  She’d been distracted and just completely forgot.  Kris introduced David to her elderly and protective neighbor and waited for David to tell them what his plan was. 

“You don’t have a spare key,” Dave asked the old man.  Jerry shook his head.  “Maybe you should give him one, just in case you do this again,” David teased her.   

Jerry grinned at the big man’s words.  He been watching his pretty neighbor and had seen the big guy around a lot recently.  He’d been curious, but he hadn’t wanted to butt in and demand to be told who he was and what was going on. 

"Can we come in for a minute," David asked as he glanced over the old man into the apartment. 

"Well, I'm not really...I wasn't expecting any visitors," he explained as he tried and failed to meet Kris's eyes.  She was surprised to see he was blushing until she realized he didn't want her to see his apartment messy. 

"Don't worry; we won't stay long, Jerry.  I think I have an idea how to get in to my place," she said.   

The old man shrugged at her words and stepped aside to let them both enter.  His apartment wasn't much different is size than hers but it felt much smaller.  David felt cramped instantly and realized that Jerry's apartment was a copy of Kris's but it felt so much smaller because of the way he had his furniture.  Plus, David saw, he did have a lot of stuff on the couch and table.  No wonder he was hesitant.  David's eyebrows shot up as he watched Kris walk right over to Jerry's sliding door and open it.  Jerry watched her actions with out comment.  David risked a quick glance at him and saw that the old man was enjoying the show too.  He could watch his girlfriend all damn day, walking, talking; it didn’t matter so he understood. 

“Dave,” he heard her ask from the small patio. 

He went to her as he asked, “Yeah, honey.”   

He saw her gaze was looking up at her small deck and railing directly above them.  Killer had been quiet and just followed her outside again.  He thought he was going for another walk so he barked his enthusiasm for the idea. 

“Hush, sweetie,” she said without looking at the little dog.  He knew what her tone meant.  It meant he wasn’t going to get to go for another walk like he’d hoped.  He settled down on the concrete with a loud sigh.  Kris smiled at his antics and brought her attention back to her massive boyfriend. 

“Dave, how high is that?  You think you can reach it,” she asked.  He frowned as he joined her on the patio so he could see exactly what she was talking about.  He squinted as he looked at it and tried to guess how high the bottom of the deck was from the ground. 

“Um, twelve feet or so,” he ventured. 

“Yup, that’s about right…twelve feet,” Jerry agreed.  Kris pursed her lips and thought for a moment.  Well, it was the only way she could think of without having to break in.  It didn’t matter she wasn’t dressed for it, she’d ignore the fact that she was in a mid thigh skirt and just do it. 

“Dave, can you lift me up so I can reach,” she asked quietly.  He blinked.

 “Sure, if you’re sure.  Did you leave it unlocked,” he asked.   

She usually did when she was home and it always made him nervous, but this one time he wasn’t going to say a word about it.  She nodded but didn’t meet his eyes.  He was always nagging at her about leaving it unlocked.  He said anyone could get in that way.  Well, today they were going to put it to the test.  Kris wordlessly handed Killer’s leash to Jerry and looked to David and nodded.  He smiled at her, knowing she would hate to have to admit that he was right about her lack of security. 

He put his large hands around her waist and lifted her up effortlessly.  She reached up, but couldn’t quite reach the edge of the desk to get a solid hold.  Jerry watched in silence as David lifted Kris up with no more effort than it took Jerry to lift his coffee cup in the mornings. 

“No good, Dave.  I can’t reach,” Kris said as he slowly lowered her down.  He nodded in silence and thought of the next option. 

"Okay, step here,” he said as he bent down and put his hand out for her foot. 

“Oh?  Okay.  Let me take these off,” she said as she slipped her sandals off quickly.   

Jerry was still silent as he watched the pair.  Kris put her left foot in the palm of his hand and leaned in to him for balance.  She squealed as he stood up so she grabbed his growing hair for a hand hold. 

“I won’t drop you, baby,” he said quietly.  He moved with deliberate slowness and turned himself so she was facing the deck.   

“Can you reach,” he asked as he looked up at her and long legs filled his vision.  He swallowed past his groan and lifted her higher.  Jerry noticed the big man’s discomfort and grinned to himself.  Kris felt herself getting lifted with deliberate slowness.   

“Stand on me babe, you won’t hurt me,” he said as she lifted her foot to step on his hard shoulder.  He stood still so she could balance herself and concentrate on reaching the deck. 

He looked up at her and all he could see was her pink panties.  He noticed they had a lot of lace and they were just barely covering her.  He closed his mouth quickly and licked his lips as he tried to concentrate on anything else.  Anything but her dainty little pink panties and all that was hiding underneath them.  He glanced at Jerry and saw the old timer smile at him.  Damn, so he must have seen him look up her skirt.  Damn.  He felt her other foot step on to his shoulder and he tensed, afraid for her.  He let his hands drop to his sides since he wasn’t holding her beautiful feet anymore.

“Okay, I got it,” Kris said as she stepped up onto her deck with one foot first then the other.  She swung her leg over the railing, ignoring the fact that everybody that was watching got an eyeful of her panties for a quick second.  “I’ll be right down,” she said and disappeared. 

David looked back at Jerry and grinned.  No use denying he’d enjoyed the little show she’d unknowingly given then.  The old man grinned back at him.

“I’ve bugged her about leaving that open.  Maybe now she’ll listen,” David said as he waited for Kris to come back down. 

“Good thing she didn’t this time,” Jerry reminded the younger man.   

David nodded and shrugged.  He wasn’t good at small talk with strangers, but was grateful that Jerry was home.  They could’ve climbed up and over the fence to his patio, but it was easier this way.  Both men turned at the sound of Jerry’s door opening.  David reached down and grabbed her sandals and refrained from comment about how small they felt to him. 

“Thanks, Dave,” Kris said as she reached for them to slide back on.  Once she slipped them on she turned to her neighbor.   

“Thank you, Jerry.  Thanks for your help today,” Kris said and kissed his cheek.  He mumbled something under his breath and handed her Killer’s leash.  That was the sign for them to leave. 

David shook the other man’s hand as he said, “Thanks, thanks for being here.  And thanks for watching out for her.”  He finished the last almost in a whisper, meant only for the old man’s ears.  Jerry just nodded and watched them go.  It was more excitement than he’d had in a long time. 

David followed Kris and the little dog up her stairs.  He purposely stayed a couple of steps back so he could watch her, something he’d found he enjoyed immensely.  He should feel guilty for being so obvious, but he didn’t. 

Kris turned at the top of the stairs, expecting him to be half a stride behind her and frowned when she saw he was several steps down from her.  He pulled his eyes up to hers quickly, but he couldn’t stop the smile playing at the corners of his mouth.  He couldn’t get her long legs and lacey pink panties out of his head.  Damn, he was going to need another cold shower tonight if he kept it up. 

“I’ve got some bad news,” she said as he reached her. 

“Oh,” was all he could muster.  Whatever it was, it couldn’t be horrible unless she was tossing his ass out. 

“Yeah,” she said as he shut the door and locked it behind them.   

He enjoyed the view as she bent down to unclip the dog's leash and turned back to him with a pleading look.  She couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been today.  And of course it had to be today, tonight of all things.   

“I’m sorry Dave, but dinner’s ruined.  I burned it somehow,” she said quietly. 

He quirked a brow at her words.  She’d never burned anything before, in fact she was a damn good cook, something they both benefited from.  He wasn’t too worried about tonight.  He could take her out somewhere if they couldn’t find something to eat in. 

“Don’t worry about it, honey.  I guess I wasn’t meant to try your new surprise.  We’ll have to try it another time,” he said as his arm snaked around her slim waist and pulled her tight.   

He leaned down and nibbled her ear, knowing it made her crazy.  He knew how to make her crazy, even though they hadn’t slept together.  They had done enough to torment the shit out of him and he’d learned some of her likes and dislikes in the process.  She stifled her groan and turned to him, seeking to put an end to his sinful distraction.  Her lips met his and all other thought ceased as she focused on the sensations of her tongue slipping into his mouth and mastering his.  She felt his hands gliding gently down her back, and slowly slipping down to her ass and pulling her even tighter to him.  She could feel his body, knew what he wanted.  It was what she had wanted from the first time they went out, well before that but she’d never tell anyone that.  She felt his entire body tense as he stepped away from her.  She saw that his eyes were almost black again, something she knew signaled his desires.   

He clenched and unclenched his jaw as he regained control of himself.  He would not force a woman, not matter what and he would never force or coerce her.  He’d made that promise to himself months ago.  But damn, who knew it was going to be so hard?  He prided himself on his contro;, control of his temper, control of his emotions, period.  He would never be successful in his line of work if he lost his temper or if he allowed his body’s desires to rule him, no matter how much some of the ladies offered as a bribe to be allowed past the rope.  That was kid stuff in comparison to her.  She could make his brain fog up with just a smile or a look. 

Kris was in a quandary, not sure how to proceed with her well thought out, but now in the garbage, plan.  She knew he liked cooking with her and they had some fun times teasing each other as they played in the kitchen, waiting for their dinner to be ready.  She hadn’t given up her plan entirely, but she didn’t know how to get where she wanted the evening to go without just jumping him on the spot.  As soon as that idea popped into her head, she felt herself start to get heated and felt a flush creep up her neck.  God, she was like a dog in heat.  She knew it was bad, but she couldn’t stop how he made her feel and how she imagined he would make her feel even more. 

“Dave,” she said quietly.  Her voice was low because her throat was dry, thanks to her own mental images.  David’s head snapped around at her voice.  He had been looking in the cupboards, trying to decide if they could make something else.  Her voice sent his pulse pounding and he knew he was in deep shit if she wanted to have an intelligent conversation.  His brain had almost shut off completely as she uttered his name. 

“Yeah, Baby,” his voice was gravelly with his ache.   

She smiled at him and motioned for him to follow her to the couch.  He blinked in surprise but followed, appreciating the view of her fine tight ass as he did so.  What he wouldn’t give to sink his teeth lightly, into her ass.  He swallowed and plopped himself down on her couch, not sure what she had in mind.  He looked at her and felt his pulse spike even more.  Her lips were wet and she looked a little heated.  Oh shit, don’t fuck up now, he reminded himself.  She smiled shyly at him and let her eyes trail down to his obviously distended slacks.  He swallowed again, gulped more likely. 

“Dave,” she breathed.  “I have something I want to talk to you about, but I thought maybe, well since dinner is a bust, I thought maybe we’d talk now,” she said as she stared into his unblinking eyes.  He was mesmerized by her.  He heard her words, but his brain had stopped working right after she breathed his name.  She got on her knees and slid onto his lap.  His hands immediately reached for her long legs.  He’d been thinking about them for months and tonight’s view had been burned into his mind.  She smiled her encouragement at his action, but leaned forward and kissed him.  He wasn’t sure what she would allow so he let her take control, he didn’t want to mess up this late in the game. 

He felt her work on the buttons of his shirt as she nipped his lip and trailed her tongue down his neck.  Oh God, was he dreaming, he wondered as his eyes slid shut.  His hand reached for her long blonde hair and he let it trail through his fingers as he laid back and let her nip and kiss his neck as she finished unbuttoning his shirt.  His other hand had slid up her leg and gripped a handful of her ass.  He never got enough of it or her and if she was going to torment both of them a little more tonight, he was going to go a far as she’d let him.  He hadn’t realized he’d been growling at her ministrations until she pulled away.  Shit, already, he worried.  They were done already?  Damn. 

She reached forward and tilted his chin to look at her.  He looked at her, knowing he was in love with the beautiful creature sitting on his lap and he’d endured more teasing from her than he thought possible, but he’d continue to do it if that’s what she wanted.  She smiled at him and then she did something that surprised him.  She shook off his hands and worked at his suddenly stuck zipper on his pants.  Now?  She wanted to do this now?  Oh sweet mother.  Then he frowned as he watched her struggle with his pants. 

“Here baby, they sometimes get stuck, um when, well, when they’re a little tight,” he said as he unzipped himself with relief.  At least he could breathe finally, now he knew where they might be headed.  He was still reluctant, he didn’t want her to do something she would regret, so he let her dictate the pace and their actions. 

She’d watched his surprise at her actions, but appreciated his control, since she was having a hard time controlling herself.  When he unzipped his pants and he was finally freed of them, she gulped and tried not to worry.  Her guess had been right, he was a big man.  She wanted him regardless and she wasn’t going to back down tonight.  She leaned in to nibble on his chest, hoping to elicit more growls from him since they went straight to her core, sending heat through her.  He shifted a little and before she knew it, they were laying down on the couch with her on top of him.  His hands were caressing her and making her more daring than was usual for her.  She licked her way down his stomach and paused at his belly ring.  She had a brief thought about the possibility of him having another piercing and she groaned as she licked all the way down to his hip.  His fingers were tangled in her hair and he wasn’t about to let go.  He knew he died and gone to heaven when her lips continued their journey south.  Before she could go any further, he stopped her, reaching for her and pulling her back up to him by slipping his hands under her arms. 

“Honey, what’s the rush,” he asked, even though his body knew exactly what the rush was.  He didn’t want the night to end so quickly and he knew it wouldn’t take much for him.  He saw confusion in her eyes; she didn’t understand why he was stopping her.  “Baby, you sure?”   

She smiled down at him and gave him a small nod.  That was all he needed.  He reached for her as he sat up quickly and reversed their positions, setting her down gently on her back on the couch.  He peeled off his unbuttoned shirt and her eyes widened at the rippling muscles he displayed.  He tossed his shirt away, not caring where it landed because his eyes were glued to her lips.  She had licked them as she watched him pull his shirt off, but he stared as she teased her bottom lip with her teeth and tongue.  He took a deep breath to steady himself because he knew he didn't want to rush or force her, not his baby.  

His hand slid up her leg, touching her in areas he had only thought about before.  Her skin was as soft as he'd hoped and he wanted to feel more of her.  He smiled into her eyes as he walked his fingers from under her skirt over to her blouse that was begging for him to unbutton.  He slowly pulled it out from her skirt, trying to maintain his control as he did so. 

"Dave," she said again with her low voice sending all his thoughts straight to his dick. 

Dave frowned as consciousness returned, trying to clear the vision.  What the hell had interrupted one of his all time favorite day dreams?  It had better be good.  Five needle like pricks of pain in his forearm brought his eyes to Lil' Sis.  She had gripped his arm and squeezed as her nails dug in.  He frowned at her actions.  She wordlessly pointed with her chin over his left shoulder.  He turned his head and blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. 

Shane was obviously spitting mad.  The fact that his slacks were down around his ankles might have something to do with it.  He was shoving the red headed diva away and reaching for his shorts that somehow also seemed to be down around his well shod feet. 

"What the fuck do you think you're doing," Shane shouted at the shocked and disheveled woman.  Christy blinked at him in confusion. 

"I thought," was she got out before Shane ripped into her again. 

"You thought!  That's where the problem started.  You don't have enough god dammed brain cells to think, you stupid woman!  You weren't hired because you could think."  Shane drew another deep breath before his next tirade.  He stopped just as he was opening his mouth to briefly finish pulling up his shorts.

“You might have been hired to provide other services for some people, but that does not include me.  You got that?  Get that through your thick head,” Shane ranted.

Carrie thought his private education was finally rearing its head.  She knew that Shane used to be a serious party boy, a willing participant in any of the antics the boys in the back got into.  This must be the mature, married Shane she was seeing.  It was certainly unexpected.  Not Christy’s actions.  She been keeping a count of the visits that woman had taken to the restroom closely followed by someone from the staff.  The woman seemed to be frantic for some reason.  Sex on long flights wasn’t uncommon, depending on the travelers.  She had hoped that since it was a small contingent and the rowdiest talent was not along, that things would be quiet.  But Shane’s impersonation of an offended Sunday school marm was surprising, to say the least.  David stayed quiet next to her, but she knew he was awake and watching as avidly as she. 

“But Shane,” Christy pleaded, her makeup starting to run.  “I only want to make you happy.  I didn’t mean to make you mad,” she continued. 

“Why would having some possibly diseased ridden whore suck my cock make me happy,” Shane spat.  Christy staggered back from Shane like she’d been slapped.  She took several large gulps of air, trying to not cry.  She was too much a woman to cry, especially in the face of her most hated enemy sitting smugly and watching it all. 

“Your dad never has any problem with me,” Christy ventured.  She realized she said exactly the wrong thing as the last of the words left her mouth.   

“My dad?  In case you didn’t notice, I am not my dad.”  Shane paused again, pulling up his slacks with as much aplomb as he could muster.  “And for your education, my dad hasn’t said no to anybody or anything for years.  He’s damn proud of that fact.  He says it’s what keeps him young.”  Shane was suddenly tired of dealing with one of his father’s chew toys, sickened by what the woman allowed herself to become and what his father tolerated within his beloved company.  Shane glanced around quickly, his eyes flicking past David and his tiny sister in law without pause. 

Carrie watched as Shane obviously made some sort of decision and strode away without another word.  Her attention shifted back to the confused woman that had overstepped some boundaries with the boss.  Christy had slunk down to the floor of the cabin and was slowly rocking herself.  Her lips were moving but no words were coming out, if she were forming any words at all.  A quick glance showed Carrie that Anderson had positioned himself behind the big boss when Shane had moved to one of the quieter alcoves to try to snag some sleep.  He was sneering openly at the distressed diva.  Her opinion of the man wasn’t high to start with, but his obvious enjoyment of someone else’s anguish sickened her. 

Oh yeah!
You wanna find it
Come on, yeah
I’m on a plane with cocaine
And yes I’m all lit up again
Cough up love and touch up
Your mama says packin’ lines is sin

And yes I’m all lit up again
On the couch, in my bed
And yes I’m all lit up again, flyin’
I love the cocaine, I love the cocaine
Mama can you wait, mama can you wait
I love the cocaine, I love the cocaine

            Lit Up – Buck Cherry 

The song on her player changed, making her think of another reason for Christy’s erratic and destructive behavior.  That made sense, Carrie realized.  If she were a nice human being she would help the woman to her feet and try to comfort her, but she stayed firmly rooted in her seat instead.  She watched as Christy continued to mumble to herself and rock on the floor.  She noticed a few tremors of the woman’s hands, cementing her previous thought.  Yeah, the few times she’d experimented with chemicals in college she was hornier than she’d even been in her life, willing to go down on anyone just to scratch that particular itch.  But the price was too high for her and she vowed to not loose control that thoroughly again, particularly over something that she’d done to herself.   

David stirred next to her, telling her he was a little disturbed by the woman’s breakdown.  In spite of all the reports to the contrary, he was still a big softy.  She tapped the side of her nose as she made eye contact with him.  He frowned in confusion.  She tipped her chin toward the woman on her knees and again tapped the side of her nose, willing him to understand what she was trying to imply.  Several seconds passed as he looked at her in confusion.  His eyes widened in understanding finally and he looked at the woman in question again and sighed.  He gave a tiny nod, signaling he understood and possibly agreed with her assessment.   

Completely forgotten in the previous melee was the rest of the assembled staff.  They had been witness to their boss’s rare display of temper and the diva’s breakdown.  Several staff stirred in their unease, worrying about the consequences and the upcoming week on the road.  Things just got a whole lot more challenging. 

*****

Shane vanished from the main area of the plane for many minutes, leaving speculation and chaos in his wake. 

“Get up, Miss,” an unnamed cabin attendant said to the crumpled heap of humanity on the floor.  Carrie watched as the same gentleman realized that his words hadn’t been heard.  David stirred himself enough to put his seat back up and give up all pretense of being asleep.  He’d traveled with Christy often enough to know an explosion was coming, sooner rather than later. 

“Might as well get your ass up,” Anderson tossed at Christy.  “No one else gives a shit,” he finished with a smirk.   

Carrie and David both turned their heads to look at the small man fully.  Anderson blinked at the unfriendly glares coming from both of them.  He would’ve thought they’d have been just as happy as him at seeing the bimbo get crushed.  They were of the few she hadn’t dragged back to the restroom for some entertainment.  She had tried unsuccessfully to entice him, but Anderson was repulsed by her indiscriminate appetite.  To say nothing of the thought of seeing her naked didn’t even raise his blood pressure.  He rationalized it away with his usual excuse, he was too particular to part take in something so personal, so casually.  

“Fuck you,” Christy managed to say as she lifted her head at the irritating ad man. 

“I think we already covered that ground earlier.  No, thanks,” Anderson chuckled at his own brand of humor.  Carrie watched in silence as David sighed and heaved himself out of his comfortable chair.   

“Let me help you,” David said quietly, reaching a hand down to the diva.  Christy shrank back from him like she’d been struck. 

“Get away from me,” she spat as she scrambled to her feet.  David frowned in surprise at her actions.  He was just trying to help.  Carrie stayed silent, but not surprised.  “You’re just as bad as she is,” Christy wailed as she pointed at Lil’ Sis.  David’s browns crept high in continued surprise.  Surprise that even now, Christy hated Lil’ Sis, even though she had done nothing to further the diva’s current predicament.  The sudden thought that she might have a drug problem softened his rising irritation.   

“Suit your self.  I was just trying to be a gentleman,” David said as he reclaimed his seat.  Carrie watched him battle with his pride, maybe?  She wasn’t sure.  Maybe he thought she would welcome his help or maybe he forgot that he was now on her person non gratis list due to his choice of traveling companion? 

The rest of the crew had remained seated in the face of the diva’s breakdown and subsequent refusals of help.  But the general chatter rose with each passing minute, anticipating what else was to come.  Anderson sat back and reconsidered his opinion of Batista.  He had categorized him in the same vein as Cena; big, dumb and extremely marketable.  Maybe there was more to him?  He had a week of almost non stop travel to find out.  That thought brought another smile to his face. 

Shane strode back into the main cabin with a small smile.  He beckoned to David and Carrie to join him at one of the conversation alcoves.  Shane sat in one of the recliners, similar to his take off seat.  Carrie and David faced him, seated on the couch. 

“Carrie, I know you have the week’s plans timed out to the second so I wanted to let you know there’s been a minor change,” Shane said across the coffee table.  Carrie nodded and waited for the rest of it.  She knew him well enough to know he was pleased with himself and wanted to share.  “We’re making a small detour.  Instead of stopping in San Diego, we’re stopping in Phoenix.”  Carrie could see he was finished and was expecting her questions. 

“So, we’re bypassing California all together?”  At his nod, she continued.  “What does this do to our arrival in Sydney,” Carrie asked.  Her quick estimation told her it wouldn’t impact it by much, if they could get refueled as quickly there as San Diego. 

“The pilot tells me we won’t see much change, even though we’ll land in Hawaii ahead of schedule.”  Shane stopped as his lips quirked up in to a grin.  “Aren’t you going to ask me why,” he teased the pair opposite him.  David sighed and shook his head, he had a fair idea exactly why there was a change in plans.  At their silent faces he broke out in to a genuine giggle, one Carrie hadn’t heard from him in years. 

“I finally did it.  I finally told my father off,” he giggled.  Carrie realized what, more like who, he was referencing.  Shit, things were about to get uglier.  “Just wait,” he chuckled as he left the pair to their own thoughts and strode back into the main compartment.  David flicked his gaze to Lil’ Sis and knew she knew exactly what Shane had done and the likely explosion that was going to happen.  He sighed in embarrassment of the likely upcoming scene. 

“I don’t know about you, but I am staying in here,” Lil’ Sis said in reference to their proximity to the main cabin.  They were almost isolated, but not completely.  They were in a smaller compartment of the main cabin.  It didn’t have a door, so it wasn’t enclosed, but it was meant to feel like a living room complete with the couch, coffee table and chairs. 

“Good idea,” David agreed.  He switched topics since they were both awake and he just thought of something.  “Remind me to call Kris when we touch down.  I forgot about a dental appointment next week,” David said. 

“No worry.  She’s already text’d me.  She remembered and confirmed it.  But she tells me you forgot your damn phone at home,” Lil’ Sis teased the big man.   

David patted is pockets in vain, searching for his phone, his horrible Sponge Bob phone.  Oh shit.  The last time she said he’d get something worse.  Oh fuck, what would it be this time, a Barbie phone? 

‘Uh, maybe it’s in my coat,” David stalled.  Lil’ Sis giggled at him and his obvious distress at having finally lost Bob. 

“Nice try, but Kris tried to call you before we took off and it’s in your gym bag at home.  She heard the damn thing go off,” Lil Sis teased.  She watched as he debated with himself briefly about how to ask for a normal phone for a replacement.  She decided to put him out of his misery, for now.  “Don’t worry, I already ordered you one.  It’ll be waiting in your room in Sydney,” she said, touching his arm briefly. 

“Ah, please tell me it’s not a Scooby or a Barbie phone,” David pleaded.  Lil’ Sis chuckled at his distress.   

“You’ll just have to wait and see.  You won’t be disappointed,” Lil’ Sis said grinning. 

“Shit, that’s what you said last time,” David grumbled.  Carrie kept her thoughts on the subject to herself.  She wasn’t about to tell him the type of phone she’d ordered.  She did have a brief debate about buying him a silly cartoon phone but decided against it since he had kept Bob longer than any other, probably in part because of his real worry about what she’d replace it with.  He could sweat it out a little, he wouldn’t melt.   

When I saw that beauty queen

And watched her paint her face on

I wanna be the magazine

That she wipes her ass on

Wanna waste her monthly blood

Wanna get some on my love

Wanna get some gasoline

And burn the house down

She’s got nothing to say

She’s got bills to pay

She’s got no one to hate

Except for me

She’s got nothing but shame

She takes pills for pain

She’s got no one to blame

Except for me.

                    Gasoline - Seether 

Their silence was interrupted by a shrill scream. 

“No,” Christy screamed.  “No!  You can’t do this.  Your dad promised me,” she continued.  Her voice was getting louder, telling the two occupants of the conversation area that she was fast approaching.  Christy stormed through the opening and glared at Carrie.  Her eyes flicked to the big man briefly but she quickly went back to her glare of the smaller woman.  Carrie sat passively on the large couch, but she was prepared to defend herself if needed.  Christy has always been one for dramatics and slaps and other over the top displays. 

“My dad knows,” was all Shane said as he slid to a stop at the entrance.  

With an enraged snarl, Christy lunged at the small seated woman intending to inflict some sort of pain and payback for her current predicament.  Carrie had watched as the diva’s eyes quickly dilated, just before she pounced.  Lil’ Sis raised both hands, in part to deflect the blow, or so David thought.  He would never have believed it if he hadn’t seen if but someone how Lil’ Sis had managed to catch the red head’s attempted right hand blow and use it to someone how bring the woman to her knees.  Lil’ Sis never left her seat, but she did have both of the other woman’s hands gripped behind her wrists and was twisting them slowly, driving the point home.  Christy cried out in pain and Lil’ Sis held on, her hands never wavering and her eyes never leaving the woman’s face.  She looked peaceful, David decided.  As soon as that thought materialized, he tried to chase it away and tell himself he was being fanciful.   

Lil’ Sis lifted her gaze to Shane, a question clearly visible to all. 

“You can let her go, Carrie.  She won’t hurt you.  You have my word on that,” Shane said.  Carrie’s lips lifted into a minute smile as she shook her head. 

“Not good enough, Shane.  Sorry.”  Carrie turned her wrist more, leveraging even more pain on the hapless woman.  Christy screamed at the gradual increase of pain and pressure.  Lil’ Sis looked at her now pitiful attacker that was on her knees and begging her to stop in front of her. 

“I can break them if you don’t shut the fuck up,” Carrie finally said to the diva.  David sat in silence as he watched his tiny sister in law easily defeat the diva, without so much a breaking a sweat it seemed. 

“I hate you, you fucking bitch!  This is all your fault,” Christy wailed.  Lil’ Sis sighed and let go of the other woman’s wrists, watching as she cradled them to her chest whimpering. 

“How is it my fault that you decided to try to blow your boss?  Explain that one to me, because I’m sure it’ll be a good one.  I can hardly wait,” Lil’ Sis said in a calm voice. 

“Fuckin’ bitch!  I hate you!  Ever since you showed up, everything has gone to shit,” Christy raged at the still seated woman.  Christy got to her feet ungracefully, turning to her boss.  “It’s all her fault, Shane.  You saw what she did?  You saw how she is,” Christy pleaded.   

“What I saw was someone defending herself against an unprovoked attack.”  Shane smirked at Carrie on the couch.  “Not exactly sure how she did it, I might have to ask her later.”  Shane sighed and redirected his thoughts back to the dim witted diva.  “None of that shit matters.  What matters is you’re getting off this plane in Phoenix.  You have until tomorrow to show up in Kentucky.  If you do not, you will loose your job completely.  Do I make myself clear?” 

“But Shane,” Christy protested again. 

“What part of get off this plane don’t you understand?  There is no middle ground.  My father already knows and he has given me the go ahead to fire your ass if I see fit,” Shane told the diva, his eyes flashing in anger.  “Be grateful you’re getting a second chance at OVW, you don’t deserve it.”  With those words still echoing in the small alcove, Shane left the three alone. 

“This is all your fault, Bitch,” Christy shouted as she pointed an injured arm at the small silent woman. 

“Now that is so untrue,” David rumbled.  Lil’ Sis smirked and touched her massive brother in law on the shoulder to inform him that she wanted to play, too. 

“Wait, David.  It is my fault that Christy won’t be able to pull her panties off or on for the next few days, I’ll grant her that.  Her wrists are going to hurt more in the next few hours to where she’s gonna wish I did break them.  She’ll probably end up going to the doctor once she’s in Louisville to make sure I didn’t.  They are gonna hurt,” Lil’ Sis said with a small smile into his quiet gaze.  Both ignored the object of their discussion completely. 

“That bad, eh,” David asked her.  Lil’ Sis nodded, keeping her smile under control.  “One of these days you’re gonna have to show me how you did that,” David said quietly.  Lil Sis shrugged.

“Maybe,” was all she said.  Both watched in silence as the now demoted diva stormed away from them.   

How dare they talk like she wasn’t even there?  How dare they?  How dare they act like they didn’t plan this shit?  She’d show them.  She’d do her time in OVW and return better than ever, but she’d have a plan to make them pay.  Christy’s internal diatribe was cut off by one of the many irritatingly helpful employees. 

“Miss?  You need to gather your baggage together and reclaim your seat.  We’re beginning descent in to Phoenix international airport,” a blonde Adonis said mildly.  Christy growled and wrenched her elbow out of his gentle grasp. 

“Fine,” was all she said as she left him staring after her in surprise.  She found her seat, buckled up and continued n with her plans for her return.  She knew it wouldn’t be ling before she was back on RAW.  This was all just a misunderstanding and as soon as she called Vince and explained, she’d be back where she belonged, on TV. 

***

“You know, you didn’t have to drop her off here,” Carrie said quietly as the plane leveled out again after their brief stop in Phoenix.  Shane frowned at her in confusion.  They had reassumed their take off seats from the prior lift off, complete with Anderson on Shane’s right. 

“Yes I did.  That woman was going to drive me nuts,” Shane chuckled.  David nodded in agreement.  Carrie had a quick debate with herself and decided to chance it with Shane.  She had a good idea that Shane knew she wasn’t just what she portrayed. 

“She wasn’t going to make it to Australia anyway,” Lil’ Sis said quietly. 

“Not at her current rate, no,” Shane said.  David shook his head at Shane and looked again at his diminutive sister in law, knowing there was something she hadn’t shared yet.

Carrie took a deep breath, folding her hands slowly on her lap.  She waited for Shane's eyes to come back to her face before she spoke again.

"She has immigration issues.  The Ministry of Immigration won't let her in," Carrie said quietly. She heard David's quick intake of breath, telling her he knew exactly how she knew of the diva's immigration troubles.  Shane started to laugh but stopped when he realized that Carrie was serious.  His dark eyes stared at her for several heart beats in silence.  Anderson's face was doing a quick shuffle between amusement and confusion at what he was hearing.  Shane's brows rose finally in silence. 

"She needed to go anyway.  She was driving me nuts," Shane restated quietly.  Carrie nodded in silence, sure of her unspoken message.  Shane broke eye contact first with Batista's intense little sister in law, his thoughts swirling.

"Wait a minute," Anderson finally spoke up.  The other three turned to him, with three very different expressions.  Shane's was close to something you'd see if he stepped in something unpleasant in his designer dress shoes.  David's was a warning glare and Carrie's was shuttered and unreadable.
 

"You just gonna take her word for it?  Who the fuck is she, Shane?  And why would she have any clue about anything other than what positions Batista likes it best," Anderson said in a rush.  David's hand shot out, grabbing the small man around his throat.  His lip curled up in anger as he left his breath out.  Before Shane or David had a chance to say anything else, Lil' Sis tapped David on his arm.

"Let him go.  He can't help it if he's as stupid as he looks.  He is so sure of his world that anything that doesn't fit isn't possible.  He's too dumb to bother with David, and he certainly isn't worth it," Lil' Sis spoke quietly, gauging the effect of her words on her brother in law.  More silence ensued as David stared the man down and debated the merits of crushing his neck.  Logic won out slowly.  David relaxed his grip, letting the other man regain his breath and his natural coloring.  Carrie watched in silence as the man opposite her sat gasping and rubbing his neck, waiting for his heart rate to slow and his blood begin to flow out from his skull. 

“Shane,” Anderson gasped.  “Fire him!”  Shane cocked a brow at his father’s golden boy in disbelief.  Did he really think his word held any weight with him?  If so, he had a very long week ahead of him. 

“Fire him,” Shane’s voice mocked the smaller, younger man.  Anderson looked up in shock at Shane’s teasing tone.  Batista should be fired on the spot for putting his hands on him, threatening violence.  “Consider yourself lucky that Carrie is easy going.  I could’ve let her give you a reality check.”

Carrie heard David mutter for her ears only,” Dumb mother fucker just pissed me off.”  Carrie kept her face clear, giving no outward indication that she had just heard her normally quiet and calm brother in law admit to being pissed off.  She wasn’t exactly sure what he’d do to the ignorant young executive, but knew neither of them wanted to find out. 

**** 

Carrie was standing in the shade of a grove of trees in a beautiful city park, watching David give a one on one interview for an Australian newspaper when she heard her cell start.  She set her bag down, grabbing her cell from her pocket as she did so. 

“Carrie Martin, can I help you,” she said quietly since she hadn’t bothered to look at the number first.  It could be anyone; her cell got service wherever she was.  She made sure of it when she bought it. 

“Hey, Lil’ Sis,” Hunter’s voice said clearly across the miles.  Carrie smiled into the phone at his voice.  She missed him, in spite of all the headaches he used to inspire. 

“Hey yourself.  What can I do for you and how is everyone,” Lil’ Sis asked quickly.  She heard a quick chuckle before he answered.  Hunter did a quick mental shift, knowing he better damn well tell her how his family was first or he wouldn’t get any information from her. 

“Everyone is good.  We had the crud go through the house and that wasn’t fun.  But we managed to survive it,” Hunter said lightly 

“Won’t be the last time,” Lil’ Sis teased. 

“Don’t I know it,” Hunter lobbed back.  “Hey, I’m trying to track down the world champion, he’s not answering his cell.  Any idea where he is,” Hunter asked in a rush.  Carrie grinned. 

“As a matter of fact I know exactly where he is, at this very moment.” Lil’ Sis teased.   

“Good, where is he?  I need to talk to him and let him know that I got his shit done for him and he owes me big,” Hunter said lightly.  Carrie heard his grin, knowing that whatever shit he’d done for David wasn’t as big of a deal as he made it sound.

“Okay, I’ll tell him, when he finishes up,” Lil’ Sis said lightly. 

“What,” Hunter exploded at her on the phone.  “God damn it!  What the hell are you doing in Australia?  You should be home!  How in the fuck did Mike let you go?  He knows better.  I warned him,” Hunter roared at her through the phone.  His worry about her health let his mouth run away from him.  He continued on his tirade uninterrupted for several moments, covering how he was going to twist Mike’s balls off and feed them to him to padlocking her to her bed just to make sure she stayed home.  Carrie lifted the phone several inches away from her ear and let him have his head, meaning she ignored all his hurtful words realizing that he was concerned for her health and well being, like always.  Instead she watched as David reached for the interviewer’s hand and shook it, signaling they were finished.  The photographer that had been brought along walked up tentatively to David.  He spoke deferentially and quietly, not sure how his request would be received. 

“Sure,” Lil Sis heard David say.  “It’s hot as hell anyway.”  He set the championship belt down and slipped off his cotton dress shirt.  He walked over to Lil’ Sis with a smile asking, “Can you hold that for me?”  She nodded, remembering a few times that his shirt had gone missing when he’d pulled them off in public.  He turned back to the photographer and waited for guidance.  Lil’ Sis put the phone back to her ear long enough to here Hunter still swearing about her lack of caution and total disregard for the wellbeing of her unborn children.   

She interrupted his tirade with,” Christy got bumped to OVW.”  A moment of stunned silence followed her declaration. 

“No shit,” her blond brother asked.  His joy was obvious. 

‘Oh yeah.  Tell Nan.  Wait, tell Nan I’ll call her and fill her in on all if.  She will be so pissed she missed it,” Lil’ Sis said, relishing the conversation already. 

“Okay, I will.  But damn, Lil’ Sis.  What the hell are you doing there?  You should be home,” Hunter said. 

“I wanted some summer.”  At the silence on the other end, she got serious.  “Okay.  This trip was fucked up from the word go.  Some new marketing moron had it so twisted up that there was no way it would work, not without a serious overhaul and someone here to smooth the waters,” Lil’ Sis admitted.  Continued silence forced her hand.  “This is the last one for me.  I haven’t been to Australia in years and wanted to see it again before I was grounded,” Lil’ Sis admitted.  “There, you happy now,” she snapped. 

“No,” Hunter said quietly.  “When have you been before,” he asked in reference to her prior visit.  She chuckled quietly. 

“Years ago. I was still in college and a boyfriend invited me out for a couple of months during the summer break.”  God, so much had changed since then.  Hell, she almost didn’t recognize Sydney when they landed.  But the people were the same, thankfully.  That was what she’d remembered most about her trip before.  The people and the beautiful beaches, both more relaxed than at home.  Too bad her enjoyment of the country lasted longer than her fascination with the long ago boyfriend.  She couldn’t even recall his name…sad. 

“Earth to Carrie,” she heard Hunter say slowly over the phone. 

“Yeah, sorry.  What did you say,” she asked. 

“I asked if that big bastard could come to the phone,” Hunter said.  Carrie risked a look back at David flexing and posing for the cameraman.   

“Not yet, I don’t think.  He’s doing his ferocious poses for the camera and the poor sap is trying to not wet himself,” she giggled. 

“Our boy does know how to intimidate,” Hunter said warmly. 

“That he does,” Lil Sis said quietly as she zeroed in on Anderson’s reactions to David’s topless and flexing state.  God, he was so far in denial it wasn’t funny.  The young man was obviously struck dumb like the teenager girls that surrounded David most of the time.  Anderson’s mouth was open, he was obviously staring at every move David made, seeming to memorize them.  Lil’ Sis realized David was finishing up so she started to walk toward him with the phone, preferring to give him the phone now, rather than trying to play tag with Hunter later.  A nasty streak helped her mutter, “He’s married,” as she walked past the love struck young executive.  Anderson blinked at her, coming out of his daze but was unable to form any kind of retort. 

“What the fuck was that?  Little girls wanna play,” Hunter joked. 

“No, just wait,” Lil’ Sis teased.  She walked up to David with a wicked smirk.  He reached for the phone, but she held it to her ear still.  She spoke in to the phone but looked at David as she said, “Your boy Anderson was enjoying the show.”  She heard Hunter’s bark of laughter before she handed the phone to a stunned David. 

“I have no idea,” she heard David say as he turned around and looked at the small man.  He shook his head at something Hunter said and started to flex, seemingly at random.  She knew better.  She knew she’d just handed David the ammunition to make Anderson’s life even more uncomfortable.  She walked away giggling at the thought, with David’s voice behind her saying into the phone,” Thanks, Hunter.  She’s gonna love it.” 

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