"But home is nowhere…"

Sheamus sat deep in thought. This place was becoming more and more unbearable with each day. He had trained, bled, worked every day to get here and this is what all his efforts were for. To be put out on injury for what was looking like months. All because of a rookie mistake. A joke, that's what this was. It burned at him and he tried to swallow the emotion building up in his throat. He thought he was really making it back to the top. He should have gone back to Ireland. Maybe, he should never had left. Another wave hit him. He longed for nothing else but home. His simple green hilled home. Back where everyone respected him. It been years since the jokes and jeers stopped, but it didn't mean he'd forgotten them. In his hometown he was known as one of the more respectable, hardworking, even better looking of any man in his little town. Now in the States everything that made him the almost idol were the things that made him the cartoon character he was being portrayed as. What was he thinking, going along with this Great White gimmick? He had promised himself not to let the Celtic Warrior image dim. Yet here he was, letting the jokes role and the money come in. The thought actually brought a bad taste to his tongue. It made the name on the locker room, his signature Laoch tights, or even a belt with his name on it, all meaningless. He shook his head, deciding a walk would do his mind and healing leg some good.

Walking through the halls, he tried to stray from any eye contact. He was tired of the dismissive looks and snickering. From his coworkers, it was expected. From the backstage crew, it was shocking. That at one point they had the guts to open their mouths to him. But that was how far he'd been knocked down, that he wasn't even feared by the high school dropouts that set up the very ring he lived for. Sheamus felt the hatred well up from his stomach and rush into his face. He stared death into the men's eyes, wishing the fire in his heart would shoot out through his eyes at their twisted faces. He wished one of them would touch him and he could unleash his anger. But that would only lead to him being chastised like a child again. Vince once had to have a talk about keeping the athlete in him in the ring after a bad outburst in a hotel bar with a drunken sound man after a show. All he wanted to be treated normal. All he wanted was to be able to smile again and love his job as he once did. He wanted to feel on top of the world.

All he wanted was for everything to feel like home again.

"Randi! Whatever you're doing, you better get your ass back here now!"

The young girl sighed in frustration once again as she heard Roddy yelled from the dressing room. She gave apologetic eyes to AJ.

"Sorry, gotta go. You know how he gets." Randi huffed; she couldn't be out of his sight for ten minutes. Yet he could disappear for hours and if she questioned him there would be hell to pay. She could pretend not to hear him, a bad choice she knew, but did it really matter? Nothing could keep her from the downward spiral that her relationship was becoming. And yet as Randi hated every second of it, she couldn't figure out why she was so reluctant to walk away. Maybe cause Roddy was all she knew, all she really had. Yes she had made her name long ago, many of the crew and fellow superstars adopting her into their family. But if anyone thought of Randi, Roddy was always paired with the thought. It was him after all that had brought her into this business. Into society for that matter. She shook her head; she didn't like remembering the old days.

"Damn ya girl I said here now!" Piper screamed.

Randi winced, knowing better than to push Roddy's temper. She couldn't really remember when the change happened. All she did know is the man that found her three years ago was gone and had been replaced with the person who looked and sounded a lot like her Roddy. It seemed to have happened over night. She woke up and all the love, all the passion in them was gone. She was worried it had something to do with a call from his ex-wife, Kitty, a few months ago. She had been causing problems since day one. He was suddenly so cold to her, unless he wanted pleased. And even that couldn't be enjoyed. It didn't feel like making love to him anymore. It felt like him taking her and she wanted every second to go by faster before the tears showed. He called her names that in the past he would attack other men for calling her. His moves were cold and raunchy, not soft and passionate like before. Their fights were constant and never ending. And if it was peace at all, it was because Roddy was passed out drunk. If they were in public, Roddy gave her a speech about how to behave and remember she represented him. Randi entered the dressing room. She wasn't even halfway through the door before she grabbed roughly by the arm and dragged in, the door slamming behind her. Roddy threw her a few feet from him but she caught her feet. Roddy pushed her into the wall and she could smell the whiskey on his breath. This was the most confusing part of his transformation over the past few months. Drinking wasn't just for loosening up and having fun, it was all Roddy seemed to do anymore. Maybe her good Roddy would be set free if she could create a pause in his excessive drinking.

"Remember who you're dealin' with doll before you dare swing at me. I mean, all I wanted was a kiss." He hissed before pressing his face hard onto Randi's.

She squeezed her face in disgust, wanting nothing more to spit in his face. The feel of his tongue sloppily forcing itself on her lips wanted to make her vomit. Roddy pulled back, taking her chin roughly. She used everything in her not to fight back, though her face was twisted into a fierce scowl and her eyes shot fire into his tired, aged ones. Where was her Roddy? Was he somewhere behind there?

"You better drop the attitude doll before I adjust it for ya'. Now stay put."

She was pushed back onto the couch. Roddy glared at her before leaving, slamming the door and shattering Randi's nerves. She swallowed back her emotion and angrily wiped away a single tear that escaped. She was sick of this. Sick of feeling like a prisoner here. All she wanted was to be happy again, to feel loved, and to enjoy being a wrestler and Roddy Piper's girlfriend like she once had.

All she wanted was for everything to feel like home again.

Sheamus nodded to the cameraman as he left the set for a B.A. STAR campaign. He wanted to just beeline to his hotel room. The less time backstage, the better. It would mean more peaceful sleep the less voices repeating insults in his head. He was stopped when a strong hand took his forearm. He jerked violently from the grasp.

"Hey man, chill out." It was Hunter. Sheamus sighed in relief. He was maybe one of the only guys in the back that had his trust. Hunter had taken him under his wing early on and was usually the one there to talk him through his breakdowns. Hunter was one of the only to really see him at his weakest. He ran his hand through his hair, his spikes somewhat flattened from sweat.

"Sorray Hunter. O'hm just so on edge lad."

"Couldn't tell one bit dude. C'mon lets go to the lobby. Couple of the old timers are here tonight. You should get to know them better."

Sheamus frowned. The lobby meant lots of the boys. It didn't sound appealing to him at the moment.

"Aye dunno lad. I kinda just wanted ta head back to me hotel."

"Cmon dude, just because you're on injury leave doesn't mean you can't hang around. And don't let the asswipes that have been a little childish ruin this chance for you. That was like, a few years ago."

"A little! Hunter it was relentlus'!"

"I know man I know. But cmon, do this one for me if nothing else." Hunter pleaded. Sheamus sighed.

"Ah, a'right. But not too long."

"Great, cmon dude."

Hunter led the two of them through the hallways. Sheamus felt his heart rate go up at the sight of all the crew and other wrestlers. He knew Hunter has no idea the teasing, on and off camera, had brought on horrific flashbacks of his younger year being teased and bullied. But he was a man now, and had to put on his brave face. Hunter tossed him a water bottle as he led them to a small group. Sheamus lingered back against the wall, wishing the walls weren't so white against his hair. He turned his head at the sound of rambunctious jabbering. Roddy Piper cackled as Eva Marie giggled loudly. Sheamus raised an eyebrow to this. Wasn't the legend dating another lass? Sheamus shrugged, he didn't get involved in other people's business. He had enough problems.

"Hey you now, pale fella come on here." Roddy called to him.

Sheamus felt the barrier build up. Roddy was a big idol of his, and his tone didn't sound menacing, just the sarcasm that always laced his voice. Sheamus sauntered over cautiously. Roddy clapped his hand on Sheamus's shoulder.

"Nice job there on the match tonight pal. Would love to have ya on the Pit one night."

"It'a be a true honor there sor. O'hm a big fan of yers, been watchin' ya since I was a wee lad."

"Really now? Say aren't cha really from Ireland or something? Where'd ya start out at here in the states?" Sheamus tried to ignore the slight slur in his voice. Was the older man that drunk here at the show?

"Well ya see in Ireland I,"

"What the hell!" A voice suddenly snapped from behind them

Sheamus snapped his head up. A young girl was zigzagging through her co-workers, a few placing their hands on her arm to try and calm her down, but she merely shrugged them off. Was Roddy that ignorant? To be flaunting girls around him in front of all their friends? She was so livid her vision was blurring the closer she got. Eva winked at Roddy as she scurried away, but not before Randi came nose to nose with her. He stare didn't last long as Roddy pull her roughly to his side. Sheamus caught this and wasn't sure how comfortable he was anymore. One thing he couldn't handle worse than being made fun of was seeing a woman hurt.

"Hello darling, this is Sheamus. We were just having an important business conversation before you graced us with your presence." Roddy said through clenched teeth.

Randi turned her head down, fighting the blush overtaking her. Why did he always have a way of making her feel like the one in the wrong in the situation? Roddy changed his scowl to his signature beaming white smile so quickly it gave Sheamus the chills.

"Now what were ya said there chum?"

Sheamus forgot what he was saying as something tugged at his heart. The girl turned her flashing green eyes up at him at his stammering. Randi felt her anger melt at the sight of the towering Irishman. He thought he'd drop as a small smirk played on her lips. Sheamus felt like someone winded him. His stomach bubbled as the noise in the room seemed to blur out and all he could see was her. He felt a goofy smile widen on his face.

"What be yer name lass?" Sheamus breathed out, almost a whisper.

"Randi." She smiled up at him. Sheamus got weak again. What was this girl doing to him?

"Randi. How lovely."

Randi smiled brighter. Hearing her name said with his thick accent gave her butterflies. She felt so foolish, giggling and beaming like a love sick high school girl. But there was something about Sheamus that made her feel alive again. Like the fatigue of Roddy's fights was non-existent on her now.

"Ah yeah hi stay with the convo pal." Roddy chirped. Sheamus shook his head, embarrassed how he had strayed.

"O'hm ya I..uh. What I meant to say is I have ta be going now. Misser Piper it'sa been a great great pleasure ta meet ya. Pleasure meetin' ya too lass." Sheamus beamed down at her. Randi smiled wider and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

"You too..." Randi cooed. Her grin was plastered on her lips as he sauntered off to find Hunter. Her smiled didn't last long as Roddy tightened the grip on her arm, nails almost cutting her tanned skin.

"You wanna turn down the slutty-ness a touch there doll? Christ any more cordial I'll have to have him pay for your services."

"Fuck you!" Randi hissed in a whisper.

"Oh fuck me huh? We'll see about that." Roddy pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders tightly. Sheamus noticed all this from across the room. He tapped Hunter on the arm.

"What's the deal there lad? With Roddy and that sweet little lass? He seems a bit to aggressive towards her if ya ask me." Sheamus's concern came across loud and clear. Hunter looked over to the couple awkwardly leaving the room. He sighed and shook his head.

"Those two are the biggest mystery back here dude. He's old enough to be her grandfather and he's not exactly been the greatest man to her so I've heard. He's been real shitty to her, hanging out blatantly as you saw with other chicks, controlling with her. And, now don't quote me, there's been talk he's getting rough with her. She's been showing up with bruises when she doesn't even have matches. But just keep out of it man. If she's happy in the situation, that's her deal. Plus Roddy's a little off his rocker I wouldn't want to mess with him."

Sheamus had barely heard anything Hunter said after the word bruises. The thought of anyone putting a hand on someone as sweet looking as Randi. Before he knew it, he was following the same path as the couple, Hunters yells falling deaf on his ears.

"Where's that fucking smirk now bitch?" Roddy hissed. Randi cried out as Roddy grabbed her chest roughly.

"God not here, not now," she thought. "Not in the goddamn hallways." Randi squirmed uselessly in his grip. Roddy pulled her back to slam her back into the wall, his weight pushed fully on top of her.

"Roddy please, not here." Randi begged.

"Shut up." Roddy bit at the bare flesh of her neck. Randi bit her lip till she tasted blood. Someone, anyone, please.

"Oiy!" A voice screamed out. Roddy pulled back and Randi opened her eyes to see the beaming figure of Sheamus coming toward them, chest slightly out and arms in the defensive position.

"God no, this will only make it worse."

"Can I help you boy?" Roddy snapped, not once loosening his grip or lean on Randi.

"Any particular reasonin' you're bein' rough with the lass?" Sheamus challenged.

"Sheamus, everything's fi-"

"He wasn't speaking to you!" Roddy screamed. He raised his open hand high and Randi winced waiting for the impact. She opened her eye as she heard flesh clasp flesh but felt no sting. She gasped, seeing Sheamus's large brute hand tightly gripping Roddy's wrist.

"Ya might wanna reconsider that fella." Sheamus's voice lowering into almost a growl. Roddy jerked his wrist back, looking from Sheamus to Randi.

"This ain't over pal. And as for you," Roddy leaned in close to Randi. "I'll deal with you later." Roddy stormed off. Randi put her face to her hands, shaking violently to keep her composer.

"You alright sweet?"

"Yes. No. I'm sorry he's not usually like that he just, sometimes," Sheamus cupped the girls cheek.

"I think I know exactly how he is lass. Listen if ya ev'r need anythin', ya call me ya hear?" Sheamus picked her phone up from the floor.

Randi stood back shocked as his big fingers fumbled to type his number into her touch phone. She had only met this man moments ago and he was being so kind to her. Why? Yes she'd seen him wrestle and knew his wrestling face but to see this side of him.

"Th, thank you. Sheamus."

He thought he'd melt at the sound of her saying his name.

"Any toyme lass. Don't cha hesitate on tha' offer now eider." Sheamus stroked her cheek once before heading off to his locker room. He let out a pent up sigh. Was that really him that just did and said all that? What dream world was he living in that a girl that beautiful would call him? But all he could worry about was if she went back to Roddy tonight.