"The Road To You"

Chapter One

Author's Note: Yes...it is I, you're kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing--(she says in Sharmell-like voice)--Mentally Unstable!! Ok, so, I'm a chick, but whatever. Anyhoo, this is a story. And that's all you need to know. But...it's an awesome story! Cause...I wrote it. Yeah. Uhm...w00t with two zeroes!!

xXx

Boston, Mass

"Keep the change." Autumn mumbled as she handed the cab driver a twenty and stepped out of the cab, pulling a suitcase-on-wheels that felt like it weighed a ton.

She made her way into Rosetta Car Rentals; some cheap local spot that she figured would save her a buck, and headed up to the information desk.

"Hi," She said in her best attempt at cheery to the man behind the desk whose nametag read Javier, "Um, I need a car. Any car will do, I'm not picky."

"I'm sorry ma'am," Javier said, clearly not apologetic, "But we're extremely backed up. I'm not sure if we have any available vehicles to anyone who doesn't have a reservation. Some sort of boxing event or something..."

"Wrestling event." She corrected with a headshake and sighed, "And I didn't make a reservation, but there has to be something..."

"Simply put, miss...no, there's nothing."

"Wow...you forgot to make a reservation?"

Autumn recognized the voice. It was cocky, smart-ass laced, and completely irritating. Sucking in a breath, she turned on her heel and faced Ken Kennedy, who stood with a smirk on his face and sunglasses over his eyes.

"That's a move an amateur would make, right?" His smirk turned into a full-on grin and Autumn resisted the urge to slap him.

"Yes, feel free to rub salt in my wounds." She scoffed, "Do you also wear sunglasses at night?"

He chuckled humorlessly as Javier stepped from behind the desk to hand Ken his keys, then turned and walked away as fast as he came.

"C'mon sweetheart, just say please and I'll gladly let you ride with me." Ken tossed the keys into the air and swiftly caught them.

Her head was already about to explode. The frustration and anger was building up, and the last thing she needed was to hear his voice. It was like nails on a chalkboard to her already ringing ears. She looked up at him and glared straight into his eyes, even though technically it was only to her reflection in his mirrored sunglasses, "If I have to beg for it, it's probably not worth it. And don't call me sweetheart. For the sake of your soul, just don't."

His shoulders dropped in mock defeat and he groaned in frustration, "Oh, please just drop the act and come with me! What kind of man am I if I leave you stranded here, huh?"

"A smart one." She grabbed the handle of the suitcase and stormed past him, fighting the urge to kick him in the nuts on her way out.

She swore on her life, she would never forget to make a car reservation ever again. Even if she had to get it tattooed on her forehead in red ink, she would not forget.

She took a seat on the bench outside, letting her suitcase fall to the ground as she leaned back and relaxed for the first time in a long time.

Her head ached. Her body and brain longed for sleep. Her mind raced with worry over how late she would be to where she was going.

Some days, she'd loathed her pride. She knew in the future, she would regret not taking a ride from Ken Kennedy. Now, she was too angry to care. More so at herself and her own stupidity then at Kennedy. But either way, she was angry.

A shuffling noise shook her from her thoughts and she opened her eyes without realizing she'd closed them.

Ken Kennedy stood beside the bench, car keys in one hand and the handle of her suitcase in the other, "Look, you can come with me and be a brat, or you can stay here and be a brat. But either way..." He nodded towards her suitcase, "Your undies are comin' with me."

She stared up at him a few minutes too long and sighed in defeat as she stood up and silently fell in step behind him.

"I knew you'd see things my way."

"Shut up, Goldilocks. Rub this in my face and I stick those sunglasses where they won't be feelin' so sunny anymore."

"Ooh, touché."

xXx

Not even fifteen minutes into the trip and Autumn was fast asleep and drooling on the passenger's seat.

Ken shook his head as he glanced at her, and then focused on the road ahead of him.

Some part of him knew he was going to regret bringing her along, but every part of him would have felt wrong if he'd just left her there.

He knew there was something beneath that angry, bitter exterior.

Of course, if there weren't, he'd probably end up purposely wrapping the car around a tree somewhere.

But he knew better. He knew her type. They were never as angry or as proud as they proclaimed.

There was always a button to push, or a lever to pull that would reveal the real thing.

Part of him was curious. Another part was dumbfounded. For the most part, he was afraid.

Maybe she'd just sleep the whole way.

Maybe they just wouldn't interact.

Maybe there was no complex mystery and she was just a moody chick.

Either way, he was stuck with her for the next couple of states, and he was either gonna hate it or love it.