Fandom

: Wrestling/TNA

Title

: More Than You Know

Rating

: PG-13

Genre:

Drama/Romance

Summary

: (TNA) She can never turn down a challenge--especially when she challenges herself. But cracking Christopher Daniels may be the hardest one yet. OC, Christopher Daniels, Salinas, Homicide, more...

Author's Note:

My first venture into TNA territory--break open the champagne! Mmm drunkenness. Anyway, this fic is in response to a challenge from CenasNakedInMyBedWithMe and inspired by "The Binder 2007/2008". Be good!

Chapter One

"Trouble Maker"

"Come on, you can't be serious."

Jim Cornette sighed impatiently and stared up at the young woman, "Actually, I'm dead serious. Why the hell did you think you got hired if you weren't gonna do your job?"

"I've been here eight months and I've never come across this guy. Why now?"

"What's the problem?"

"Um, the guys fuckin' insane, is the problem!"

"Look, you'll either interview him or you're out of a job. You choose!"

"Fine!" Autumn Murciano snatched the call sheet off his desk and sighed, "I'll interview Raven."

"Good--that's why you get paid. Remember that before you even think about throwing another fit like that again."

"I didn't throw a fit." Autumn mumbled as she stormed out of the office, "It's not my fault the guy freaks me out to no end." She glanced at the piece of paper in her hand and groaned--the interview was in fifteen minutes. There was no chance of escaping anyway, since the guy had specifically asked that she conduct the backstage interview/promo cut. It had been eight months since she'd begun her job as TNA's backstage reporter and she'd managed to avoid the creep completely until now. It wasn't the guys gimmick that bothered her, it was the fact that he was a genuine dirt bag, which she knew from the fact that every single female she worked with had previous encounters with him that she'd rather not experience. She figured fifteen minutes was enough time to head to catering and grab a bottle of water before meeting up with her camera man and going over everything on her call sheet.

Autumn sighed, savoring the feel of cool water in her dry mouth. Yelling at Jim Cornette had made both her throat and her head ache, but that was better than getting her dumb ass fired, which could have just as easily happened. She shook her head. What had come over her? She needed this job--she wanted this job--and she didn't take it for granted, so she didn't want it to look like she took it for granted.

"What's your deal, mami? You look like hell."

Autumn looked up, smiling as her best friend Salinas walked over and playfully punched her in the arm, "I feel like hell. I just yelled at Cornett, and now I have to interview Raven." She made a face, and Salinas smirked.

"Well, Cornette likes his employees with a little spice, ya know? Don't worry about that. About the Raven thing..." She shook her head, "I can offer you no comfort. Just a backup in case he does something that he deserves to have his ass kicked for."

"Gee, thanks." Autumn finished off her water and tossed it in the trash, glancing at her watch and groaning, "Ugh--five minutes. Better go find Mick. Wish me luck."

"Yeah, that'll help."

Autumn stuck her tongue out before heading out of catering and catching up with Mick, her camera guy, who had everything ready for the promo cut. The only thing missing was Raven. "Great," She mumbled, "Watch his dumb ass be late--or not even show up."

"Wouldn't be the first time." Mick responded, and Autumn let out an aggravated sigh, "Thanks, that helps." She retorted sarcastically, checking her watch again. Thirty seconds to show time, Raven finally walked up beside her, a disgusting smirk on his face, "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up. We ready?" His eyes trailed up and down her body, his eyes lingering on her chest. She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, we're ready."

Mick counted down the remaining seconds to air, and the promo was on--the usual introduction, a few questions, and finally Raven snatching the mic from her and getting a little too close to the camera and challenging Sting to a match next week. He slammed the mic down on the ground, and walked off camera. Autumn put on her best wow, that was scary face and shrugged, and Mick signaled that they were no longer rolling. "And, I am done!" She cried joyously, "Right?"

Mick nodded, picking up the microphone off the floor, "You're free, as am I. See you next show."

Autumn saluted him as he packed up and left the backstage area, and she breathed a deep sigh of relief and glanced at her watch. Her work was done, and she figured she'd get comfortable and finish watching the show before heading back to her hotel for a good nights' sleep, which is really all she wanted. She started to head to catering again, maybe grab something to eat before settling down in front of one of the tvs, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She whirled around with a startled gasp, and sighed, "Forget something, Raven?"

"Yeah--you." Raven shrugged casually, smiling down at her, "How about we get outta here--grab something to eat, go back to your hotel room."

She stifled a laugh--was he serious? "No thanks, Raven." She turned to leave again, but he grabbed her by the arm this time, "Come on, babe, it'll be fun. Besides, I haven't heard anyone else making you an offer this good."

"Well, if it's so good, how come I haven't heard anyone taking you up on it?" She smirked, snatching her arm away before shoving him backwards, "Stay away from me--we cut your promo, now good night."

"Come on, baby." He reached for her again, but this time someone grabbed his arm, stopping him. He spun around, coming face to face with Christopher Daniels, who didn't look too pleased. "She said no, Raven." He said calmly, "Accept it and move on."

Autumn stood, watching as the two men stood, gazes locked. Would Raven try to start a fight, or would he be smart and back away? They stood like that for at least a minute, before Raven backed away. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Fine." Raven held his hands up in defeat, "I can do better anyway." He scoffed and walked away. Christopher made sure he was really gone before he turned to Autumn, laying a friendly hand on her shoulder, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled up at him, "Thanks, Chris."

"You don't seem fine. You're shaking."

"Hey, the guy's a creep." She shrugged, "I guess I might've got scared when he grabbed me, but I'm fine now. I promise."

Chris nodded, removing his hand, "Are you leaving?"

"No, I was just heading to catering."

"Alright, I'll walk you."

"Chris, that's not necessary..."

"Maybe not, but I'm doing it anyway." He offered a small smile, and she sighed in defeat as the two started walking. Autumn snuck a glance at the stoic man beside her and couldn't help but smile--she'd known him since her very first day at TNA, eight months ago. In fact, he'd helped her out with a similar situation when she accidentally crossed paths with Christy Hemme and things got out of hand. Chris calmed everyone down without starting a fight, and ever since then, he's had her back, even if she didn't quite know it. She wondered how long he'd been there during her interview with Raven--had he heard about it, and hid in the shadows to jump in, in case Raven's reputation proved true? She shrugged, and smiled again, nudging Christopher with her shoulder. He looked down, eyebrow raised, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong--lighten up!" She laughed softly, "Just wanted to say thanks. You've my back since I got here, and I probably would've gotten my ass kicked a dozen times if it wasn't for you."

"Yeah. Maybe you shouldn't be such a trouble maker."

"Ha-ha." She frowned, "I'm serious, Chris--thank you."

"Don't even mention it." He shrugged, "What are friends for? I'll always have your back, as long as either of us is in this business."

She smiled, "Good to know."