CHAPTER 3

Mark watched Glenn and Raine from the back; trying not to be amused. Shawn had filled him and Paul in completely on how the picture thing had come about. That girl was something else. Though the fact that Glenn had been trying to get himself a little view… that wasn't so good. He made a mental note to smack Glenn around later.

Even he couldn't deny they were great out in the ring together, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he watched the pair. They worked together in harmony, and if he cared to admit it, they flowed in a way he and Glenn hadn't.

Fuckers.

***

"Tag me, tag me, tag me…" Raine muttered under her breath as she stretched her arm out as far as it would go; her green eyes narrowed intently. When Glenn glanced back at her, she smirked; wiggling her fingertips.

An evil smirk crossed his face as he jerked on Carlito's fro, dragging him backwards towards Raine and slapped her hand.

Eagerly, she slipped through the ropes; mentally rolling her eyes when he patted her ass as he moved to the apron. Focus returned to the task on hand, winning this match. Carlito was so much fun to work with, providing she wasn't on the receiving end of his Backstabber; those hurt like a bitch and she still took them badly.

Carlito decided right then and there he was shaving his fro when Raine literally grabbed two handfuls and flung him across the ring; feeling like his scalp was on fire. Making a pained face, he gingerly rubbed the top of his head and got onto his knees, staring at her.

Raine just grinned at him.

***

"Hey darlin', you did great out there." Mark greeted when Raine and Glenn came through the curtains, waiting for his own match. "Though if you ever yank MY hair like that…"

"Sure, sure, old man." She agreed playfully, winking at Glenn when he walked by. "Smack my butt again and I'll slit yer throat!"

"Whatever." He shot back over his shoulder.

Mark followed Glenn's retreating back, frowning slightly. He was recalled to earth by Raine drumming her fingers on his chest. "What darlin'?"

"Pay attention space cadet, I was askin' if you wanted to go get somethin' to eat after the show."

"Oh yeah, sure. If you don't already have plans?"

Raine scratched the top of her head, looking confused. "If I did, why would I ask you?"

"I don't know."

Now she was really confused, Mark normally wasn't indecisive. If anything, he usually made snap decisions and she was the one double thinking everything. "You alright, man?"

Mark nodded, glancing down at her then smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah, I'm fine, just getting old, darlin'."

"I've been telling you that for awhile, honey."

"Raine!"

They both groaned and turned to face Stephanie, Raine clapping her hands over her ears. "Could you screech any louder?" She muttered, wondering what she had done now. "I didn't do it."

"No, it's not that." Stephanie was out of breath, clutching at a stitch in her side. "It's Shane…"

Mark and Raine both stared at her like she was out of her mind.

"What about him?" Raine asked indifferently.

"He was in a car accident and-" Stephanie almost fell except for her husband appearing on the scene and catching her, holding her gently but firmly against him. "And…" Stephanie couldn't finish, obviously trying not to cry.

Mark snorted, not really caring. Apparently Shane was alive as Stephanie wasn't in hysterics and as far as he was concerned, that was a crying shame. Given the way Shane had treated Raine, it took a lot of balls for Stephanie to even MENTION the man's name in front of Raine.

Paul sighed, staring at Raine apologetically. He wasn't even going to LOOK at Mark because Mark would likely punch him or something for what he was about to say. "Shane was in a car accident, some drunk plowed into him."

Raine's face hadn't changed though her green eyes were softening. "Yeah?"

"He's asking for you."

"He's askin' for her?" Mark said skeptically. "So he's fine and not in any immediate danger of dyin'?" He did manage to keep the hope from his tone.

"He's got a concussion; cut from head to toe, three broken ribs on his right side…" Paul scrunched his face as if trying to remember. "Broken arm, collarbone…"

"And internal bleeding." Stephanie hiccupped.

"Why is he askin' for HER?"

"'Taker, you're up!"

"In a fuckin' minute!" Mark looked down at Raine. "Are you going?"

"Huh?" She blinked, shaking her head clear and glanced at him; beginning to chew on her lower lip nervously.

"Raine, are you going?" He demanded.

"'TAKER, NOW!"

Mark couldn't ignore the tech any longer when his theme song blared from the speakers, finally tearing his eyes from Raine, grunting. Not saying another word or sparing a look for anyone, he headed for the ring.

That didn't make Raine's already knotted stomach feel any better. Groaning, she looked helplessly at Stephanie who wasn't in any way to help out. She then glanced at Paul who could only shrug, busy holding his wife.

***

"She went, didn't she?"

Shawn just nodded, not too happy with the situation himself but he hadn't been able to talk his daughter out of it either. Part of him grudgingly understood and the other half was hoping she went all postal on Shane's ass. Hell, he'd pay the bail and court fees involved.

Mark cracked his neck, his eyes closing. They were just casually dating, it's not like they were actually a couple; he didn't have that claim on her. Even if he did, he knew telling her what she could and could not do, who she could and could not see would just be a recipe for disaster and send her straight into doing it anyway.

***

Raine had absolutely no idea why she was freaking here. She had caught a flight with Stephanie –Paul had begged off, saying he had to stay and keep working the show. Which was a crock of shit since he could have oh so easily taken a few nights off considering who he was married too.

She stood out in the hallway while Stephanie went inside Shane's private room, staring down at the tiled floor; Paul standing across from her. She was still in her wrestling gear, which was a little weird though Paul had lent her one of his button up dress shirts to cover her shorts and halter top. Though with the knee high wrestling boots… she didn't even want to know the picture she painted at the moment.

Stephanie had paid for her plane ticket and had promised to cover the hotel room, since Raine's stuff was currently back in Los Angeles with Shawn and they were now in Manhattan. What the hell had she been thinking?

Stephanie walked out, smiling though her nose was still red and her eyes puffy. "He's awake." She said softly, the door closing behind her. "He's refusing to take the pain medication Raine, and he's hurting, badly. If you could maybe talk him into it…?"

Raine really did not like her friend right now and just sighed, nodding. What was she even doing here anyway?

Paul patted her shoulder as she walked by him and into the room.

Inwardly steeling herself, Raine let herself inside, quietly closing the door behind her. She looked up hesitantly, biting her lip when she met Shane's pained brown eyes. "Take the meds." She said softly.

"No." He murmured, smiling somewhat. It was an uncertain smile, like he didn't know what to say or do. "I didn't think you were going to come." He admitted finally.

Raine rolled her eyes, walking over to sit on the edge of the hospital bed. She couldn't help but note that it wasn't the usual, standard bed; the tiny singles. This could fit Shane plus another comfortably, money had perks. "I did it for Stephanie." She said, making that clear right away. "She was practically faintin' on me."

Shane nodded slowly, his usually pale face paler than what was normal.

Raine studied him thoughtfully. She could see the way his jaw was clenched, knowing he was probably wishing for relief and couldn't understand why he wouldn't take the medicine. "Why won't you let them give you something for the pain?" She asked quietly.

"Because…" He hesitated, looking down at the thin blankets that covered his legs. "I don't like the helpless feeling, Raine."

She understood that and wondered idly why she hadn't thought of it. Shane did not like feeling like he wasn't in control, period. Her eyes strayed over him clinically, taking in the way he sat stiff like a poker, knowing he was probably wrapped underneath the loose, button up pajama top he wore. His face was covered in thin, shallow looking cuts except for a mean looking gash that stood out quite vividly on his cheekbone. Of course it was stitched and clean, it just looked horrible.

His right arm was in a cast; resting propped on several pillows and she remembered his collarbone was broken as well. She could only imagine what he looked like under the clothes, Stephanie had said he had been cut up all over.

"Take the medication, Shane. You'll feel better and you'll heal faster." She said finally. "If you're in pain, you'll be a bear and then nobody is going to want to be your physician."

He had to crack a smile at that.

"Please?"

Shane looked like he would say no, a fear of being pulled under by the pain medicine showing in his eyes. "Will you," He hesitated. "Will you stay with me?"

"If it'll get you to take them and shut Stephanie up, sure."

***

"You're kiddin' me?" Shawn stared at Paul like he wasn't sure if he had heard right. Just to be on the safe side, he popped a finger in his ear and twisted it back and forth a few times. "Say that again?"

Paul did not like being the one who had to tell this news, but Raine had stayed true to her word and hadn't left Shane's side. Which was probably a good thing in the long run. He had been given an drip through his IV and as soon as he started to sink into unconsciousness, Shane had started fighting the medicine. Raine had been the one who calmed him down, after Stephanie and Linda both tried and failed.

When Paul didn't say anything, Shawn deflated and shook his head. "I don't understand. After the way he treated her, the way he talked to her… why?"

"Because she's a good person." Paul said after a moment's consideration. "Which means, you raised her wrong."

Shawn arched an eyebrow, not in the mood for Paul's idiocy. "Bein' a good person don't mean having to go outta your way to deal with slime like Shane McMahon."

"He was in a car accident Shawn, give the guy a break."

"I'll give him a break alright, break his spine right in two." Shawn mimed his words, a satisfied look on his face.

"Um, aren't you a Christian?" Paul asked curiously, watching the conflict now play on Shawn's already rugged, worn face. "So, shouldn't you be all about forgiveness and shit?"

"Are you tryin' to SELL me on Shane fucking McMahon?"

"No, just a bit curious about where the black and white line ended and shades of grey came into place." Paul stepped back when it seemed like he was going to get jacked in the jaw. "Look man, I don't like Shane anymore than you do. BUT, he's my WIFE'S brother and if she's miserable, I'm miserable."

"You're a damn pussy is what you are."

"That too."