A/N: Well not sure where Isil is, I am sure she/he will show in tine, but I felt really bad haivng started this and nothing following for so long, so I put this short chapter together. Real short, and I'm sorry for that, bit really not having good luck with the writing right now. Still struggling with the next chapter of World. Anyway, I hope this holds you all till I can get someone else to join this Round Robin.
Chapter 2 for you.
Pier 94 in New York City was a bustle of activity as men women and children, streamed though the terminal luggage trailing nosily behind, or loaded high on dollies and carts. Small children chatted away with the exuberance of youth and the excitement of being only hours from basking in the presence of their heroes. Men old and young gave discourse on who they would see, when they first went to an event to see their favorite star, and the ever-present discussion on who was the greatest, the best, the most popular. The women, some along for the ride, many were there due to their own love of the onetime sport. Be they man woman or child; they shared an almost explosive joy anticipating the voyage to come.
On the Star Delta, the mood was a bit more subdued. The men woman and children, who were already on the ship, had a different view of the forthcoming nautical journey. For the men and some of the women, this was another day at the office, in a way. For the next 2 weeks, they had to be on, nearly 24 hours a day. They had to be the "Superstar" the guests expected to see. Relaxing with what family member they thought to bring along, would have to wait till they set foot into their cabins, and maybe once they reached the island, but for 7 nights and 6 days, to start, the where their characters, they where their gimmicks; few of these men and women looked forward to this particular boat ride.
It was the children, again that were feeling the spirit of the venture more so then their parents. For many it would be the longest they will have seen and been with their fathers of mothers. Many wish it did not include so many other people around, while others, did not mind the crowds, but wish their parents did not have to be the person they saw on TV, but could be just the father or mother they saw so little of at home. Life was different for these children of stars. They lived always with the fear of one day finding out daddy or mommy would not be coming home, because they found someone else they loved more. Or their mothers or father who were not stars, no longer found themselves able to deal with the nearly yearlong absence of the person they loved. The life of a wrestlers kid is not an easy one and so this trip was looked upon by most as gift very few would pass up, even if it did mean they had to share it with others.
Of the few that found no need of this time with estranged family, Mark Calaway was the most obvious. He passed down the hall of the deck where the wrestlers had their cabins, extending cool pleasantries to the wives, husbands and kids of his colleagues, and he received the same lack of emotions back from those he spoke to. They all knew how he was at times like these, and it was a waste for them to spend energies on him that would be better put to use enjoying their times with their own loved ones. After all, he was the poster child for what many saw wrong with the life of a wrestler. Two failed marriages and one failed fling. Children he barely saw, or took the time out to see. He was not an appealing role model to many of these men and women.
For Mark, their cool reaction rolled off his back as water off a duck. He could careless for their disapproval; he never looked to others for support of who he was or how he ran his life. "As fucked up as it is," he thought to himself as he stopped at the luxury cabin set aside for his use. He opened the door and walked in, not letting anyone see the relief he felt once he was away from the eyes of others. "This is such a fucking waste of my damn time." He grumbled as he wheeled his luggage off to the side, to be looked after later. Being on a cruise was the last place he wanted to be, especially one filled with ravening fans and one past fling. "Yeah 'fling'," he says deprecatingly, "Like I wasn't all into her." His fist ball up as he thinks back on how much time he devoted to his blond distraction. "Is it the hair? First Sara, then her." He chuckles without humor, "Maybe I should try a brunette or red head next. Change it up a bit." He sighs sliding his muscled bulk down into one of the many leather chairs in the sitting area of the suite. As he let's his head lean back he closes his eyes feeling a headache creep up on him. "Relax Mark, nothing you can do about any of this," he whispers low, concentrating on dispelling the ache in his head before it become something worse, "all Vince needs is me with a damn headache, barking at all the fans."
In another section of the ship set aside for the wrestlers, Michelle McCool, dripping wet, steps out of the shower of her cabin, she is closely followed by a larger form, who's long dirty blond hair clings to his slim but well defined back, shoulders and chest. His masculine hand's long tapered fingers reach out entwining in Michelle's hair pulling her back gently to land a searing kiss to her lips, before releasing his hold allowing her to turn about fully. Doing so she then grabs him behind his head forcefully pulling him down to her lips giving back the same as she had just received.
"We better not get started again, or we'll miss the meeting and we don't want Vince on our asses do we?" She grins seductively as she says this, once the kiss is broken.
Her shower partner chuckles huskily, clearly giving evidence to where his mind is at the moment, "Nice thing to say after that kiss." Michelle laughs slapping him harmlessly on his hairless chest as she turns and exits the bathing area completely. She smiles as she sees her company join her in the bedroom, slowly toweling off, doing it in a way that is almost sensual and inviting. "I swear you're to bad." She laughs tossing a pillow in the wake of her words. Her friend returns the laugh and the pillow, finally seriously toweling before searching among the draws for something to wear. A sigh from Michelle draws his attention.
"What's the matter?" he can tell something is bothering her, enough to change her whole mood in a matter of seconds. He notes she is reading over the revised itinerary they were both handed when they boarded the ship. Something on it seems to have her upset. Walking over he looks down at the paper emitting his own resigned sigh. "Hey, you knew there was a chance he'd be on the trip." He takes the paper from her hands and sets it on the bed, turning her to him and drawing her close, enfolding her in his muscled arms. "He's not going to make a scene, it's not his way. Especially with all these fans around, he's got a character to maintain." This last was said with a sarcastic smirk that tinged the tone of his voice and words. He then lifts her chin with the knuckle of his index finger. "Besides, he tries something he has to deal with me. And I promise he doesn't want my blood all over him." That draws a laugh from Michelle in spite of her misgivings.
"I really messed up huh Adam?" She says as she extricates herself from his embrace returning to dressing for the meeting.
He too returns to getting dressed, "We both did honey, we both did."