The sound of the rain drumming softly on the roof brought me out of my reminiscing. God that night had been so great but the thought of it made my stomach lurch just a bit. There weren't words for how much I missed him or how difficult it was not to call him just to hear him call me 'baby girl' in that accent of his. I'd never picked it up. It appears the midwestern accent I grew up with in Detroit refused to be beaten into submission.

Standing and stretching my tired aching frame, I sighed and wandered into the kitchen to check the machine. Sure enough, the little red light was blinking. It would appear I didn't hear the phone the second time. Reluctantly, I pushed the button and waited, a weight like lead on my chest.

"Baby girl…Adrian please pick up. I know damn well you're there now please pick up. Adrian?" My stomach knotted up as I listened to the recording. Mark was very good at controlling his emotions but I knew better. I could hear the strain in his voice and it tore at my heart. My fists knotted in my T-shirt, his shirt actually, as I did my best not to reach out and pick up the phone. I wanted desperately to call him back. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to hear that deep baritone that had become a life preserver to me in my worst of times and my favorite sound in the world in the best of them but he didn't deserve my call. And as strange as it sounded, I think that's what hurt the most. I'd put so much into loving my husband because he had seemed so much better than anyone I'd ever met and he proved me wrong.

How could I be so stupid? How could I think for one second that I'd be different from all the other women he sees daily? He told me I was…that's how. How many other women had he told that to? The whole thing made me sick.

I stood there staring at the answering machine considering pressing the button again just to hear his voice but instead I erased it. If I left it, I'd replay it until I was so hysterical I'd call and could NOT let myself do that. Nothing was okay…

My throat closed convulsively as I fought the tears burning my eyes. Three weeks it had been since that night and the sound of his voice still sent me over the edge. He wanted to come home. I wanted him to come home but I deserved better than a half ass relationship with a man I couldn't trust out of my sight.

A full-blown sob wracked my body at the thought. It had been Mark that taught me I deserved better than the normal caliber of man I dated. He showed me with his actions and his words that I was better than I thought I was.

"One night ruins everything…" I whispered and grabbed the cordless phone before throwing open the back door and stepping out onto the deck. The rain was falling more softly and I let myself fall into one of our wooden Adirondack chairs to watch it. I wasn't paying attention to it though. I stared at the buttons on the phone as I turned it round and round on my lap. I knew I didn't need to be alone but my family and friends were all in Detroit and the time difference prevented me from calling home. Sighing heavily, I started dialing the only person I could think of that would understand.

"Adrian?" His voice was tired on the other end but I felt the ball of nerves in my stomach relax slightly.

"Glen…" I sniffed. "I'm sorry it's so late."

"No…no kiddo. It's all right. What's up?" He yawned and I heard him shift.

I opened my mouth to tell him what was running around in my head but the tears stopped me again. "Glen…I…" He sighed.

"Adrian, c'mon. Take a deep breath." I smiled in spite of myself. Glen had become a very good friend over the years even if he was gone as much as Mark was. When I was traveling with them, the three of us were a force to be reckoned with in the bars. It was a damn good time and even now that everything was different, ruined even, he was still the best listener I knew. "What's bothering you honey?"

"Glen, I love him so much." I whimpered. "What do I do? I don't know what to do?"

"I know you do and no matter what you think, he loves you too. You're all he talks about." Glen said in his smooth even Tennessee voice.

"He wants to come home."

"Are you ready for that?"

"No…I don't know…" Why did I have to blubber to someone? It was so embarrassing. I just wished I could suffer my misery alone. "It's his house."

"No, it's your house too. It has been for years and I know Mark doesn't want you to leave it. He already said he'd stay on the road as long as it took for you." I chuckled.

"That's exactly what he told me."

"Oh good. At least we're getting the same story." He was trying to make me laugh and it was working. Glen was like a big brother that way. He'd poke and prod and annoy and make jokes until you felt better and it almost always worked. He'd been an absolute saint through my emotional crisis despite his friendship with Mark.

"I can't trust him…" I muttered.

"Are you sure kiddo?" He asked. My first reaction was to say yes I was sure, but I knew damn well if there were something to tell, Glen would find a way to let me know. "I'll take the silence as an 'I don't know'."

"I don't want to but I want to." I admitted. Glen laughed from his end.

"That's my girl. Don't sell him out yet. Take the time you need. Get your head together but don't give up on everything."

"Glen, you don't know what I saw."

"Yes I do. Believe me, where do you think he went when he couldn't find you outside the hotel?" Yeah, that would make sense. Mark always went to Glen when he had problems and Glen did the same.

"How do I forgive that?"

"That's up to you kid. I don't know that you can. All I do know is, it has never happened before and I can say with relative certainty that there is very little chance of it happening again. He's not even himself right now Adrian."

"Glen…" I sighed. The last thing I needed was images of Mark's guilt swirling around in my head.

"No…he's not Mark right now and he won't be until you tell him what to do." So much for getting the weight off my chest… "Think about what it was like when you were out here with us. Remember when we met? Don't just fixate on the bad okay? Just promise me you won't turn your back on six good years because of this one night."

"I can't just forget it." I began but a sound on the other end stopped me.

"Sweetheart, I've got to go. Mark just walked in." And he was gone.

Sighing heavily I dropped the phone into my lap. I hated it when Glen gave me things to think about. He had a knack for that. Just when I'd think I had my mind made up about something, he'd come in and give me his two cents and turn my brain into goo again. This time was no different. He'd brought up some very good memories for me and I couldn't help but grin as I thought back.

"Where are you taking me?" I giggled as Mark dragged me through the loading dock of Joe Louis Arena.

"You said you wanted to see what I did for a living didn't ya?" He smiled and yanked me to him to avoid my careening into a woman pushing a huge crate on wheels.

"I have seen what you do dear." I patronized. "I watch Raw all the time." Mark shot me an annoyed look and flicked me behind the ear before bending down to kiss me. I'll admit it I swooned. I swooned every time that imposing creature bent down and touched his lips to mine and he knew it. I could see it in his eyes as pulled back. Sure, we'd only been dating a few months and with his schedule it actually evened out to about one whole month we'd been able to spend alone together but we were inseparable.

"Yeah, but you haven't seen it from this side." He was smirking, a playful light dancing in his gorgeous green eyes and I knew I was in trouble. Before I could mention it however, Mark was waving and exchanging good-natured insults with men so big I could only assume they were his coworkers.

I followed along behind him dumbly taking in the chaos of the impending show. My God, it was like the biggest most hectic circus I'd ever seen! Everywhere he led me there were men and women carrying cables, barking into walkie-talkies, stretching muscles, and being fitted for last minute costume changes. It was great! The excitement was so contagious I found myself wanting into the club.

"This is insane." I chuckled as Mark wrapped an arm around my shoulders and guided me around a group of people wearing black shirts with cameras around their necks. I could only assume it was a photographer's meeting.

"Baby girl just wait til the show starts." He grinned down at me and angled me toward a door. Before I could ask where we were going, Mark threw open the door and shoved me inside. "Woman on the deck!"

I couldn't speak; my muscles seemed to lock up without me as I watched at least a dozen half men in various states of undress dive for lockers and toward the showers.

"Damn it Mark!" The largest of them bellowed as he ran, wrapping a towel around his hips, for the showers.

"Sorry guys!" I finally managed. "I had NO idea he was gonna do that!" My face was so hot I was sure it was as red as a stop sign. I took a deep breath and turned to escape but Mark's gigantic bulk was blocking my way. I ducked to one side but he caught me and pulled me to his chest.

"Glen get your big ass out here and meet my girlfriend!" He bellowed and the laughter in his words vibrated under my cheek.

"Girlfriend?" I blurted looking up at him, my chin resting on his chest.

"Is that a problem baby doll?" He asked suddenly serious. My heart fluttered in my chest as I shook my head. It was definitely a moment. It was the first time he'd used the word 'girlfriend' and it was like a breath of fresh air.

All the time we'd spent together had been great fun. We laughed together, we enjoyed the same things, we talked about everything, but he'd never expressed any interest in a relationship…until this very public declaration. Suffice it to say, I was pretty damn happy about it.

"GIRLFRIEND?" A big voice bellowed a split second before the shower room door flew open and a man bigger even than Mark strode out wearing black and red tights. "You went and got a girlfriend?"

"Yeah, and you can't have her." Mark laughed and shook the big man's hand. "This is Adrian."

My heart skipped slightly as Glen swung his huge smile on me and held out a hand. "It is so great to meet you." He said and held his hand out to me. His enthusiasm was so infectious I couldn't help but smile back as he nearly shook my arm off my body.

"You too." I laughed. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Funny…he hasn't mentioned you." Glen laughed, cocking his head in a very Kane-like manner, his long curly hair falling over his face. Mark grunted and elbowed him in the ribs.

"He lies by the way." Mark assured me as Glen gasped. "Or it could be that he doesn't listen."

"I listen!" The bigger man whined playfully. Mark shook his head and moved past him to drop his bag on a bench.

In the three or so seconds he was gone, I got swarmed by men bigger than most cars with hugs and greetings and names I was sure I'd never remember. All of them were so happy to see me. It was weird. Every one had something to say about Mark's prickly disposition and my tentative ability to do something about it.

"C'mon now…back off ya damn vultures." I turned to see him pushing a hole through the men to get to me. "Mine." He barked at them once he'd snaked a protective arm around my shoulder.

"Asshole…" Another of them muttered teasingly as he walked away.

"Bradshaw don't make me…"
"Excuse me Taker?" The whole locker room stopped and turned. I felt bad for the poor guy with the clipboard as he walked through the door. His face went three shades lighter.

"Whatcha need?" Mark turned and accepted a sheet of paper. The stagehand disappeared as he read it.

"What's that?" I asked standing on my toes to see. Mark glanced over smiling then kissed me.

"Boss wants me." He said before turning to Glen. "Hey you got some time?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Take care of my girl for a bit could ya? I've gotta make an appearance in the office." Glen smiled so widely I though his face was going to stick.

"You can trust me Deadman." He laughed and wedged himself between us, throwing an arm around my shoulders.

"Why don't I believe that?" Mark grumbled and fixed his friend with a stern glare. Glen patted him on the shoulder and began pulling me toward the door. "Hey, if he touches you let me know and I'll kill him!"

"Where's your faith man?" Glen laughed and winked down at me before shutting the door pointedly behind us.

I didn't see much of Mark before the show. He was being run around for costume fittings and last minute plot changes but Glen was a riot to be around. He kept me laughing and made me feel so comfortable that I was joking with the rest of the talent in no time.

What an odd group it was. As far as I could tell the whole show went on at breakneck speed but the guys and even a few of the Divas were easy going and after an introduction, a handshake, and a good natured rib, were more than willing to talk and make friends.

"Hey Adrian, I've got to go finish getting ready for our match. Did you want me to take you somewhere you could see the show?" Glen asked leaning over my shoulder as I sat at a table with a two blonde Canadians with a sense of humor remarkably like mine.

"Oh! Yes! Definitely." I said standing and saying good-bye to my new friends. As we wandered out, I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to put up with whatever Mark threw at me just so I could come back. It was…nice.

Because of Mark I'd found a troupe of people weirder than me. It was nearly liberating. I'd spent so many years keeping to myself with the exception of Casey and Brian and their teasing that I forgot what it was like to have people really just see me. By the time Glen had led me to the area just inside the curtain on the stage I was smiling bigger than I thought possible.

"Stay put." Glen told me, handing me a water bottle. "Mark or I'll be through here shortly." I nodded and hopped up on a crate.

"I'll stay here." I reiterated. Glen nodded and jogged off down the hall, waving as he turned a corner. Sighing heavily, I glanced around at the behind the scenes chaos and the smile broke through again. The show was nearly over and the tempo wasn't quite as crazy but it was still amazing to watch. There were so many people each one moving around the others with a purpose. It was almost like it was choreographed. Everyone knew their jobs so well. It blew me away.

"Excuse us." I glanced over and hopped down as two men wheeled up a huge chopper. I grinned as one of them took a cloth to it quickly and hurried away. I walked around it in awe. Sure, I knew who's bike it was, I'd seen so many of them on TV but seeing it up close and personal was exhilarating. The magic of the show was weaseling its way into my blood. Mark was right, I definitely needed to see it from his point of view.

"Like it?" I jumped at the familiar rasp behind me and turned.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. Mark always looked about the same. If someone didn't know he was famous he'd be the quintessential biker but as he walked down the hall toward me it seemed just a bit bigger than life. His long hair up in a half ponytail and fell like an auburn wave over his shoulders. He was carrying a leather trench coat draped over one magnificently bare arm and he was smirking at me as I ogled his bike.

"I see something else I like more." I smiled, my tongue poking out to wet my lips.

"Good. I'd hate you to leave me for the bike." He rumbled and stepped toward me, his arm circling my waist and pressing me to his chest. "One for good luck?"

I smiled broadly and leaned in meeting him half way and nearly swooned again. Kissing Mark was like the first taste of chocolate after a long boring diet. He was truly intoxicating.

Pulling back to get another look at him I had to bite my lip. "Are…you wearing eyeliner?" I asked and stifled a giggle as he blushed.

"Looks good for the camera baby girl." He grumbled and took a deep breath turning away from me to glare down the hallway. "You seen Glen? He's gonna miss our cue."

"He said he was going to get ready." I offered and hoisted myself back up on the crate. Mark nodded and swung the trench coat over his shoulders. I couldn't breathe as I watched the leather settle around his massive shoulders and swirl around his ankles. He was such an imposing figure on a normal day but as he slowly readied himself to become the Undertaker the power that radiated off of him was virtually tangible.

"Ready?" Glen grinned skidding around the corner and walking toward us. His long curly hair was wet and hanging past his shoulders. He'd retrieved a tank top made of buckled straps and mesh and was carrying his trademark mask as he loped over.

"I was startin to think you weren't coming." Mark smirked with his hands on his hips. Glen chuckled and waved off his worry with laugh and walked over to hug me.

"Are you havin fun sweetie?" He grinned down at me with a playful gleam in his eye.

"She was 'til you showed up." Mark grumbled from behind him. Glen turned his head to retort but stopped short to greet two men I assumed were their opponents for the evening.

"Hey Jay, hey Adam!" I called smiling once I recognized my two new Canadian friends from catering, and jumped up to greet them. "You're gonna get your asses kicked aren't you?"

"Naw…" Glen assured me. "We'll take good care of them." Mark nodded his agreement and shook each of their hands before music began to blare from the speakers in the arena and the blonde men disappeared through the curtain.

"You're next." Mark said and pushed Glen playfully toward the curtain. The big man wrinkled his nose and slid on his mask.

"See ya out there." The big man chuckled and cocked his head theatrically to one side.

The boom of his pyrotechnics made me jump and giving us a thumbs up, Glen pushed through the curtain.

"I guess that means its show time huh?" I giggled and wandered back over to hoist myself back up onto my crate. Mark nodded and swung his big leg over the bike.

I could only watch as he tied a blue bandana over his hair and slid on a pair of sunglasses. As I sat there, Mark took a deep breath and lowered his head briefly. I was awestruck with the magnitude of the entire evening but this one moment, I would remember for the rest of my life.

Slowly, his head came back up but it wasn't Mark sitting there anymore. It was the Undertaker. His entire demeanor was different. Gone was the easy going, playful man I'd come to think about when he was gone and instead the persona that had frightened and awed so many for so many years sat in his place.

I couldn't bring myself to speak as I heard his music cue up and the crowd out in the arena explode. A slight smile played across Mark's lips as he kicked over the bike and revved the engine. "See ya on the other side baby girl." He called over it and pulled down his glasses to wink at me, and then he was gone.