SIX MONTHS EARLIER

The Hardy brothers were well known for their risk-taking. Brianna always secretly admired them for that and wished her dad could be even a fraction as cool as she thought theirs was. Jeff and Matt took turns entertaining her during the week while her father and uncle Hunter were making appearances at children's hospitals, schools or even attending press conferences. Standing safely on their back porch watching them race each other on their dirt bikes made her smile. The brothers always found ways to make up for the things she was missing in her life. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted from the ground as someone's strong arms grabbed her waist. Screaming, she clawed at her attacker but stopped when she heard the familiar laugh. "SHANNON!" she yelled breathlessly, "FUCKING PUT ME DOWN!"

He complied faster than she expected and held on to her waist. He leaned down and kissed her neck softly and replied calmly, "But Anna, you were tempting me," his hands slid from her waist to her breasts. Smacking him on his face she wriggled out of his grip and turned to look at him. "Why are you such a pig?" she asked. He gave her his widest grin and giggled sheepishly. "Annaaaaa" he sing-songed his nickname for her even though he knew she hated it. She smacked him repeatedly and laughed as he pouted. He looked so much like a little boy when he did that…well, minus his numerous tattoos. Shannon's ink always fascinated her. So much in fact that on her 18th birthday she asked him to do one for her…a tiny butterfly on the nape of her neck. Yes, it was typical but she wanted it nonetheless.

She saw a tall figure appearing from inside the Hardy's house. Pushing Shannon away she jumped on the tall visitor and squealed in delight as she wrapped her arms around his neck as she lifted herself on him and wrapped her legs around his waist like a child hugging a parent after receiving a very much desired toy. "Shane!" she squealed and squeezed him. He chuckled and stroked her hair and let her squeeze him to her heart's content. It had been over seven months Brianna, or anyone for that matter, had seen Shane "Hurricane" Helms as he checked himself into rehab when he grew addicted to drugs and alcohol…and sex.

He was the only male that she knew that never tried to have sex with her or disrespect her body in any way, though and had no intentions of doing so. She was like a little sister to him and he never looked at her as any more or any less. She cried some nights because she was always upset he missed her first on-screen appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show with her father. Tears ran down her face when Shane finally set her down and kissed her on her forehead. "Hey, no water works…C'mon, you want me go back to my house?" He asked jokingly. She smiled up at him and turned to glare at Shannon for pinching her butt. She didn't dare tell Shane though, else he would break Shannon's finger…again.

Jeff and Matt finally stopped racing their bikes and raced each other to the porch when they spotted Shane's bright green hair. They greeted him with hugs, high fives and the occasional swear word when any of them mentioned girls that came to their house looking for him. After that one of them suggested they go to the local pub for beers but Shane jerked his chin in Brianna's direction and raised an eyebrow as if to say "really?" So they ended up settling for movies and microwavable popcorn.