Title: Past Love, Uncertain Future
Rating: MA
Content: Love, Hate, Mild Sex, Mind Games and Manipulation
Distribution: Please Ask First
Characters: (Non Wrestling) Skyler and Ryan (Wrestlers) Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton & the McMahon Family. Also some minor parts from others.
Disclaimer: To Each Their Own
WARNINGS: There may be some mild language, sexual reference and sex
Summary by Chapter: Skyler goes looking for some answers
Past Love, Uncertain Future – Chapter 3
LATER – At Ryan's Place
Skyler rang the doorbell and a dreary Ryan opened the door dressed in big sweat pants and tight fitting beater modelling the bed head look she walked away from the door and a furious Skyler rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"I told you I'd be here at ten thirty why aren't you ready?" she asked furiously
"I'm sorry I overlaid I'll go get ready now. Give me two minutes"
"No don't bother I'll just go on my own. Apparently I'm the only one who gives a damn about this wedding" she said walking out the door slamming it behind her.
Ryan sighed and collapsed on the sofa in a tired heap.
ELEVEN O'CLOCK
Skyler sat in the waiting room waiting for her wedding planner Abigail Forrester to arrive she looked at her watch feeling that she'd been sat there forever as she noted the time was promptly eleven o'clock a tall slim woman approached her and smiled extending her hand Skyler immediately stood up and accepted her gesture.
"Hello I'm Abigail you must be Skyler is that right?"
"Yeah"
"Such a beautiful name"
"Thank you" said Skyler with an appreciative smile
"Well please come in and we'll begin the preparation for your big day"
Skyler was directed into Abigail's office when a loud scream suddenly echoed through the large room.
"WAIT!" shouted a hectic Ryan who ran anxiously on pin heels. She finally approached Skyler and Abigail who shot her a look of disgust and confusion.
"Sorry I'm late traffic was hectic" apologised Ryan
Skyler smiled at her sister grateful that she'd made the effort to be there for her.
"Abigail this is my sister Ryan"
"Oh well hello you're here to help are you?"
"Yeah I'm a substitute"
"Oh yes err my fiancé couldn't be here he has work related commitments" she said with disappointment in her voice
"That's perfectly fine Skyler I hardly ever see the grooms anyway"
"Really?" she asked
"Yes I mean what use could they possibly be?" she said walking away from the sisters into her office the sisters soon following behind her "We're talking about your wedding day here this is a special day that girls have often dreamt about since they were five years old when boys were thinking about putting worms in their pockets and fighting with each other in the playground. This is going to be Dom Perignon and caviar not beer and pizza. Trust me the grooms are better off staying away from all wedding preparations and from the few I've seen who have been involved in the preparations it would be a very wise decision because they nearly didn't make it to the big day. Please take a seat" she said sitting behind her desk
"Is that true about them almost not making it to the wedding?" asked Ryan
"Yes! The women want the day to be so perfect and exactly as they dreamt it would be that they often end up falling out with the groom because he chooses lilies over roses something so stupid like that because arranging your wedding is very stressful but hopefully I can take some of that stress from you so lets get started shall we?"
Skyler smiled as she realised maybe Shawn not being there was better for them after all.
LATER
Ryan and Skyler had finished with Abigail for the day and Ryan absolutely warped by all the choices and swashes decided to take her overtired and over dressed behind back home and put it back in bed where it should have stayed. Skyler made her way back to her apartment with all the ideas put forward by Abigail spinning around in her head things she'd not even thought about. She concentrated on driving and soon arrived back to her apartment pulling up seeing a strange car parked outside. She opened her car door and climbed out and walked around the other side of the car taking the folders, booklets and so forth off of her passenger seat she struggled to lock the car door and walked up to her apartment building letting herself in she walked upstairs to her apartment and stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Hunter stood before her waiting at her door.
"What are you doing here?" asked Skyler
"Hello to you too" said Hunter helping Skyler by taking the load out of her arms
"Thanks" she said opening the door whilst giving Hunter an uncertain look.
Hunter looked at the stuff in his arms, bride magazines, dress options, destination options and etc
"Nice dress" Skyler turned to see him looking down at the Vera Wang dress she'd made her number one choice "You'll look stunning in it I'm sure"
"Did you want something?" she asked taking everything off Hunter and walking inside placing them down on the coffee table. Hunter walked inside and looked around at the familiar surroundings.
"I haven't been here in a while" he noted as Skyler stood looking at him with her hands firmly on her hips
"No you haven't"
"I like what you've done with the place"
"Hunter…"
"I heard about Shawn going to Japan that must have pissed you off taking off on the day you were going to see the wedding planner"
"Not really I think weddings are better left to the women"
"Maybe they are especially a woman like you with brilliant taste"
"What did you want?"
Hunter turned and shut the door and suddenly Skyler heard the door lock and Hunter turned around and smiled at her.
"Just wanted to see you"
"Hunter unlock the door"
"I just want some privacy so how about we go into the sitting room and just catch up" he said walking into the sitting room. Skyler breathed deeply and slowly stepped forward and picked up the phone and quickly dialled Ryan's number.
"Hello" said Ryan answering her phone
"Who are you calling?" asked Hunter walking over and taking the phone out of her hand and putting it down cancelling the call to Ryan. He then pulled the cable out of the wall so they couldn't be interrupted.
"I just wanna talk" he said grabbing Skyler's wrist and forcing her into the sitting room
"Hunter let go" she demanded
Hunter pushed her down on the sofa and then sat down next to her. Skyler sat frozen in fear as Hunter smiled at her. He stroked her cheek softly as Skyler's heart rate began to get more rapid.
"I remember the night we went out with your Mom and Vince and came back here and you were so happy we'd got the big approval that you showed me just how happy you were right here" he said pointing down to the sofa "Remember that night?"
Skyler didn't answer and Hunter began to gently twist her hair through his fingers.
"Don't you remember?"
"Hunter…" she began
Hunter let go of Skyler's hair and rose from his seat and walked over to the stereo and put in a CD. Suddenly Angel of the Morning by The Pretenders began to play. Hunter turned and faced Skyler.
"Remember this?" he asked walking back over to her
"Yeah I remember it"
"Our song and you were my angel…you are my angel. Nothings changed"
"Everything's changed. We broke up and I've moved on why can't you?"
"Because I believe in us" he said sincerely looking back at Skyler as he put the CD case away. "What went wrong? And please don't say you know what went wrong because I honestly don't"
"You were never around"
"I know but we were so in love weren't we?"
"Hunter I…"
"I just want to know, I need to know! If you're going to be walking around in front of me married to one of my best friends I need to know why it wasn't me?"
Skyler looked at Hunter and for once saw sincerity in his eyes.
"We were in love or at least I was but it just got too hard. We were never together and when we were you were too tired to even talk to me"
"And how is it any different with Shawn?"
"It just is!"
"How?"
"I'm his first thought in a morning and his last thought at night. With you it was wrestling…I came into your thought pattern when I needed to. When your phone rang and you saw my name in the display; when someone asked you how I was. Not once while we were dating did you just hold me. You had a regime and there was no space for intimacy just business, business, business and I started to feel like I was a trophy. Triple H the World Heavyweight Champion picked up his biggest victory and most valuable prize yet…Skyler McMahon. If I hadn't been a McMahon Shawn and I probably would never have met but me being a McMahon isn't a selling point to him he loves me for being me not for being a McMahon"
"I didn't care that you were a McMahon either"
"What you're going to stand there and actually say to me that you didn't get some thrill from dating the daughter of Vince McMahon. You never thought to yourself if I marry this chick my reign on top will be cemented? Who are you kidding Hunter? You loved that I was a McMahon in fact you loved my surname more than you loved me"
Whether not willing to refute Skyler's accusation or deeply upset that she would think so little of him Hunter didn't reply and walked over to the stereo turning off his and Skyler's song. He then walked passed Skyler and exited the apartment leaving the once locked door wide open. As Skyler heard Hunters car screech away she couldn't help but wonder if she'd got him all wrong. Maybe he did love her for more than being a McMahon. Skyler shook her head as if to shake the thoughts out of her head almost like she couldn't think like that. She walked over to the door and closed it. She started to walk away when suddenly frenzied knocking came at the door and Skyler feared it might be Hunter returning she quietly approached the door.
"SKYLER!" screamed a welcomed voice
Skyler sighed with relief as she opened the door to a frantic Ryan
"Where is he? What happened?" she said checking her sister was ok before looking around the apartment
"He left and…I don't know what happened"
Ryan calmed down knowing that Hunter wasn't there and approached her sister with confusion
"You don't know what happened?"
Skyler shook her head "It was weird…It was Hunter he brought me in here and he tried to make me reminisce about the apparently good old days then he just broke down"
"Broke down?"
"Yeah he wanted to know why it was Shawn and not him"
"What besides the obvious?"
"I told him everything. I told him Shawn loves me for me and not because of my family and he didn't deny anything…"
"Why would he?"
"I duno…for arguments sake?…for face? He didn't say anything and I'm not so sure that it was shame in his eyes…more like disappointment"
"Disappointment? In himself you mean?"
"No in me. Like he couldn't believe I said it or thought it…or…I don't know. Hunter always gets the last word…always and he just left without saying a word. Like he finally realised it was over…"
"Well good that's what you want!"
"Yeah I guess"
"I'll get some wine and we'll celebrate"
Ryan left the room to retrieve some wine as Skyler sat down and wondered to herself what was on Hunter's mind?
THE NEXT DAY
Skyler had been awake for a while whilst Ryan was still fast asleep in the guest room after Ryan 'celebrated' enough for the both of them. Skyler was stood looking out the window with a cup of coffee in her hand and a million questions in her head.
Did Hunter truly love her?
Why did he leave so suddenly and quietly?
Had Skyler misjudged him?
Was he racked with guilt or completely heartbroken?
Skyler decided that she couldn't stand around and ask herself question after question she needed to go to the source and get the answers she needed. Skyler got ready and when Ryan still hadn't risen by the time she was ready to leave Skyler realised that Ryan's deep sleep was going to become a hellish hangover. She got the aspirins out of her cabinet and placed them on the coffee table along with a note.
Thought bed was the best place for you. Take two aspirins and drink plenty of water. I had to go shopping but I won't be long. Don't forget to eat something.
Love Skyler
xxxxxxxxxxx
Skyler left the apartment and made her way over to the arena where the WWE show was being held.
AT THE ARENA
Skyler walked through the backstage area and greeted everyone as she walked passed on her mission to find Hunter. Eventually she grew frustrated of her search and stopped a crew member and he directed her to Vince's office where Hunter was last seen.
VINCE'S OFFICE
"So what happens when Shawn comes back?" asked Hunter
"Don't you worry about Shawn I have that sorted. You just worry about Skyler"
"I have that sorted" he said confidently
"Oh yeah that easy?"
"You're daughter definitely has your stubborn side but she also has a beautiful heart. She might wanna hate me for putting business before our relationship but she won't let me hate myself. And last night I played it so cool. My guess is that she's been up most of the night wondering if I'm ok"
"What did you do?"
"I did nothing which with Skye is worse than causing a scene. She's seen me blow my lid she's seen my veins pop but she has never seen me walk away from a fight. Last night she accused me of not loving her just her family"
"Do you love her?" asked Vince showing a moment of concern for his daughter
"You have two other daughters if I wanted a 'McMahon' I could have one but I don't want a 'McMahon' I want Skyler"
"Same difference in my book"
"It isn't in mine. What do I get out of being with Skyler she has nothing to do with this business?"
"The powers in the name"
"I don't want the name I want the girl. What is this Vince? You're here with me strategising sabotage and you don't trust me?"
"Have you ever given me reason to?"
"Have I ever given you reason not to?"
The two men looked at each other. Just then the door opened and Skyler walked in
"Skyler sweetheart"
"Hi Daddy" she said hugging and kissing her father "Daddy can I just have a minute with Hunter please?"
"Of course I've got things to do anyway" Vince left the room not before giving Hunter and uncertain glance.
Skyler turned to Hunter and looked at him
"I don't know what happened last night. It's been driving me crazy. Screaming, yelling, breaking things that I can handle you walking away and not filling the silence it didn't make any sense and I don't know whether you feel guilty or…"
"Why should I feel guilty?" asked Hunter sitting down in the chair
Skyler sat down opposite him on the couch
"I don't know I said that you only loved me because I was a McMahon you didn't refute it and you left"
"That wasn't guilt. That was disgust. A year and a half we were together; now according to you it was a disaster from beginning to end but to me it was the best time of my life surpassing everything I've accomplished in my professional life. You are like winning a million Heavyweight Championships to me. It was never about you being a McMahon it was about you being everything I wanted in a woman and more. It was about you filling that void inside me that could only be filled by somebody as perfect as you. Last night you pissed on the one thing in my life I thought meant something. I know I didn't treat you as well as I could but I assumed with you being a McMahon you'd understand the business and understand the schedule involved and I was wrong to think that. Yes you're a McMahon but only by name you're not from the same mould as the rest of your family you're unique and I hate that it took me so long to realise that. By that time I'd already lost you"
Skyler sat staring at Hunter waiting for something but she didn't know what. When nothing happened Skyler broke the silence
"Hunter…"
"Don't…don't say anything"
"But…"
"Angel…please. Last night you just took my breath away. I always thought that we'd broken up because I was never around not because you thought I didn't love you. I was just stunned and I knew if I said anything last night you'd take it with a grain of salt and pass it off as a meaningless compliment to save face" Hunter got up and made his way to the door and opened it before looking back "I'm happy for you and Shawn or at least I'll learn to be. I hope he gives you everything you want and need. I hope he does a better job at showing you how much he loves you. I wish I'd realised how bad a job I'd done, but make no mistake Skye I loved you more than anything…I still do"
Hunter left the room and Skyler sat shell shocked on the couch everything she'd needed and wanted from Hunter was finally laid out on a plate for her but unfortunately it was three years too late. Skyler had moved on and she hoped to better things. A simpler life with a wonderful man and there was no mistaking his love for her. But the comfort she got from Shawn didn't help her to stop wondering about Hunter. After seeking answers from him for the questions that spun in her head the night before she was left even more confused as more questions were spiralling around with no answers in sight. Skyler suddenly began to breathe heavily gasping for air a sudden feeling of nausea rushed through Skyler's insides and she suddenly found herself with her head between her legs trying to calm herself down. Moments passed and Skyler was taking long and deep breaths trying to calm herself after her small panic attack. Skyler regained herself the best she could but she had to leave she couldn't bear to stay there anymore and she ran out of the office and through the arena and didn't stop until she reached her car where she stopped and took three deep breaths in the fresh air before getting into her car and driving off.
LATER
Skyler a lot calmer arrived home and walked into her apartment to find all the curtains were closed and a hung over Ryan was curled up in a ball on her rug.
"How you feeling?" she asked her sister as she placed her keys down
"Rough. You?" slurred Ryan
"I've been better"
"Shawn"
"No me and Shawn are fine I overacted"
"No Shawn…called"
"Oh thanks" she said picking up the note on the table which she could barely make out the handwriting was that bad obviously a reflection of Ryan's hangover.
"Well?" asked Ryan
"Well what?"
"You went to see him" Skyler's eyes opened wide she couldn't believe Ryan knew "Skye whether you like it or not we've been best friends for too long. I know you too well. Did it help?"
"No"
Ryan attempted to sit up and with everything she had she finally made it up to a semi-vertical base.
"What happened?"
"I needed to know. I went, I asked, I listened…I panicked"
"Didn't hear what you wanted to hear then?"
"I don't know what I wanted to hear. He told me it wasn't because I was a McMahon…"
"Yeah right and I'm Tinkerbell"
"…and that he loved me for me. That he would learn to be happy for me and Shawn but that he still loved me"
"And that you believe that crock?"
"You weren't there he was so sincere"
"You're so gullible"
"And you're so pessimistic. I know you don't like him and you havereason to because even if it's true that he loved me he still treated me like crap, so go ahead and hate him…"
"Thanks for the permission"
"…Just because he was a jerk to me doesn't mean he didn't love me, doesn't mean he doesn't love me"
"Skye I love you I do but sometimes I wanna bang your head against the coffee table to see if it knocks any sense into you. If he loved you and still does then why did he treat you that way and why hasn't he tried harder to win you back and why until now has he never told you he loves you? Don't you find it a huge coincidence that you announce you're getting married to Shawn and all of a sudden Hunter can't live without you?"
"He's never let go of me but he never knew about me and Shawn for this reason"
"Skye…"
"I know…Hunter bad, Shawn good but I can't help wondering if I misjudged him. And if I did what would my life be like right now? I could be married to him, expecting a baby"
"Or you could still be going around in circles driving yourself crazy and crying yourself to sleep at night. So what if he claims to love you for you he still treated you like crap and that wouldn't have changed if he'd told you he loved you once a week"
"Yeah I know but it would have been nice to hear it"
LATER
Skyler returned from dropping Ryan home and walked into her empty apartment. She collapsed in a heap on the sofa and closed her eyes. No sooner had she done so when a knock came at the door. She slowly lifted herself up and walked over to the door and answered it to find Hunter on the other side.
"Hey"
"Hi what are you doing here?"
"I came to take you out for dinner"
"What?"
"It's my way of apologising for this morning. I shouldn't have said what I did. You perceived our relationship one way me the other lets leave it at that. If it was meant to be it would have happened regardless right?"
"Yeah if it's meant to be"
"So dinner?"
"I don't know Hunter"
"Crowded restaurant, delicious food, innocent conversation and a huge bill on me"
Skyler smiled and gave in. She walked in and picked up her keys and made her way out the door with Hunter.
Please Read & Review – Thank You