I just want to give a HUGE 'Thank You' to everyone who messaged me or posted a review and let me know that you like the story and want it to continue. It really means a great deal.
I was so touched and inspired that I whipped up this little banner last night. Nothing much but at least it gives you an idea of what Kimber looks like (that's Jenna Dewan-Tatum, for those who don't recognize her.)
You can find it on my profile. :)
Anyway, thank you again! It means a lot and here ya go as a Thanksgiving Day gift, Part Three. :)
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Sheamus began beating his hand against the top turnbuckle. Soon the crowd started clapping along.
In the center of the ring, locked in a vicious chin lock, was Kofi. Cody Rhodes tightened his hold, his face filled with equal parts exertion and triumph.
"Come on, fella!" Sheamus cheered on Kofi.
The other man suddenly raised his arm, shaking it, as he began to get his second wind. Soon both men got to their feet and Kofi broke the hold. Cody whipped him into the ropes. As Kofi bounced back the young Rhodes launched himself at him.
Both men connected with a vicious 'thud' and hit the mat.
"Come on, Kofi!" Sheamus grabbed a hold of the string and leaned over the top rope, begging for his partner to get up and tag him in.
The crowd began to clap in unison, chanting, "Kofi! Kofi! Kofi!"
Both Kofi and Cody began to stir. They rolled over each other and ended up a little closer to their own corners.
Sheamus looked across the ring, to where Damien Sandow was screaming for Cody to tag him in. He turned back to his own partner with a renewed sense of urgency.
"Kofi!" he bellowed to his partner, "Ah'm right here, fella! Ah'm right here!"
Both men slowly staggered to their feet. They wobbled towards their respective corners, reaching out to their partners.
Kofi made a flying leap and hit Sheamus' hand. As the large Irishman charged into the ring he saw that Cody had done the same.
Damien slipped between the ropes and took off for him. But seconds before he reached him Sheamus delivered a thunderous Brogue Kick, knocking the other man to the ground.
As the crowd's cheering grew ten fold the Celtic Warrior quickly pinned him.
One! Two! Three!
Sheamus's music hit and the fans shouted wildly. Kofi, still looking a little beat up, staggered back into the ring and hugged his partner.
"You all right, fella?" Sheamus checked the other man out.
Kofi nodded, offering him a tired smile, "Couldn't be better."
The pair grinned and turned to celebrate with the crowd. Kofi climbed onto the second rope and Sheamus beat his hand against his chest a few times before his arms flew out to his sides and the Irishman bellowed.
As he and Kofi made their way through the backstage area the pair passed by a large monitor. On the screen the outside of a fancy restaurant suddenly appeared. The shot dissolved and suddenly there was Del Rio, seated at an elegantly made up table.
Sheamus drew to a stop, his eyes boring on the screen. A low growl involuntarily escaped his throat, causing Kofi and the other wrestlers watching to look at the tall Irishman uneasily.
Unexpectedly there was Kimber, making her way over to the table. She was looking at the Mexican aristocrat with a small frown.
"Nena." Alberto motioned for her to sit down but didn't rise to get her seat.
Kimber slowly sank into the chair. She scanned the restaurant before turning back to him.
"So why did you invite me here?" she questioned, watching as he poured her a glass of red wine and sat it before her. She didn't drink it though.
"You said you wanted to interview me." Alberto smiled slyly, "What better place than here, hmm?"
Kimber shrugged, "The arena would have been just fine."
"Around all of those peasants?" the Mexican aristocrat scoffed, "You and I, we are so much better than that."
He suddenly snapped his fingers and yelled out something in Spanish. A few seconds later Ricardo came darting out of the kitchen, two covered trays in his hands. He promptly set them before the pair, removing the covers with a great flourish.
Kimber looked down at the lobster but didn't pick up a fork to eat it.
She instead propped her elbows onto the table, hands clasped, and leaned in close, "Alberto, many people are questioning your recent attacks on Sheamus. Why have you decided to target the Celtic Warrior?"
Sheamus' eyes narrowed angrily. It didn't matter to him why old Bertie had decided to attack him. He was going to kick his arse regardless.
Alberto began to chuckle coldly, "Sheamus is a peasant. He didn't deserve to be World Heavyweight Champion. And he doesn't deserve to get another shot against the Big Show now."
Kimber's eyes narrowed and she paused, seemingly trying to choose her words carefully before going on, "But isn't it his right as a former champion to get a rematch?"
Del Rio laughed, waving the question away with a flick of his arm. He focused his dark gaze on her, a predatory glint coming to his eyes.
"Forget about Sheamus." he murmured, reaching out a hand to stroke Kimber's dark brown waves.
Sheamus felt his temper begin to rise as he watched the young woman turn her head away, her mouth twisting in a sneer. He wished he could reach his hand through the screen and break the bastard's arm. His hands began to clench and unclench at the idea of doing so.
The SmackDown reporter leaned away from Alberto and cleared her throat, "Mr. Del Rio, let's get back to the interview, please."
Del Rio laughed, "I didn't invite you here for an interview, nena."
"Then why did you invite me here?" Kimber muttered coldly.
"You don't need to play hard to get with me, Kimberlynn." Del Rio reached out and stroked her hand before she yanked it away, "I know what this is all about."
"Please tell me." Kimber asked, her voice beginning to tighten with anger, "Because I'd really like to know."
"It is about us." Del Rio murmured, "This is about how you can't keep your eyes off of me. Not that I blame you."
"I can assure you that you have it all wrong." Kimber shook her head, adamant, "Mr. Del Rio, the only thing I'm interested in when it comes to you is a story. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Alberto's smile began to falter, the Mexican aristocrat growing annoyed, "I grow tired of these games, Kimber."
"You and me both." Kimber muttered as she rose to her feet.
Del Rio instantly jumped up, as well. He started to reach for her when Kimber grabbed hold of her wine glass and dashed it in the arrogant man's face.
Sputtering, Alberto raked his hands over his eyes while the SmackDown reporter turned and stormed out of the resturaunt.
"Way to go!" Kofi cheered while the wrestlers clapped their approval.
Sheamus continued to stare at the screen even when it went to black.
How could he have been so wrong about her? How could he even think that she would be interested in somebody like Del Rio?
He bowed his head, the wheels in his mind turning.
Way to go, he chastised himself, Not only did you practically accuse the girl of being a gold digger but you scared her senseless, as well.
He turned around, his eyes landing on the pretty brunette standing a few feet away. Realizing that she was being watched she looked up and their gazes locked. Her features were carefully blank, revealing nothing.
Come on, fella, the wrestler thought with a sigh, Best get it over wit'. You owe her that much.
He stepped up to Kimber and replied regretfully, "Ah owe you an apology. Ah jumped to conclusions when Ah saw you and Ricardo leave in Del Rio's car last night. The wrong conclusions. Ah should have known you were just tryin' to do yer job. Ah'm sorry, Kember."
She studied him for a few moments, saying nothing. He wished she would speak. Say something. More than anything he hoped like hell that she forgave him.
She should. She was pretty reasonable, after all. And she didn't seem like the type to hold a grudge. At least not for long.
"You're right," Kimber nodded, her tone cool, "I was just trying to do my job. And I'm certainly not looking for a boyfriend or sugar daddy or whomever. Not that it's any of your business if I were, Mr. O'Shaunessy."
And with that she turned on her heels and marched away.
Sheamus looked after her with a frown, annoyed. Practically growling, he turned and stormed off in the other direction.
He had said he was sorry. What more did the bleedin' woman want from him? Blood?!
He didn't need this right now. He had to deal with the Big Show. And Del Rio. The last thing he needed was to add a high and mighty Ms. Kimberlynn Gentry to the mix.
His pace began to slow and he shook his head at himself. Sighing, he scrubbed a hand over his face and allowed his famous temper to cool a little.
The truth was she had every right to her anger and he to any tongue lashing she wanted to give him.
What he was really angry about was the fact that she didn't automatically accept his apology. But then again why should she? She had been wronged. It was entirely up to her on whether or not she forgave him.
And unfortunately it didn't look like she was of a mind to forgive him any time soon.
He finally reached his locker room and slipped inside. As he took a seat he leaned over and raked his hands through his hair.
It would all be so easy if he could just let it, and her, go. But that was easier said than done.
And he still couldn't understand why. He hardly knew the woman and yet he felt something for her that he hadn't felt for half the girls he had dated. Why was that?
At that moment a knock came to his door, causing him to look up sharply.
"Come in!" he called out, surprised when Booker T, SmackDown's GM, came through the door.
"How're you doing, Sheamus?" Booker questioned as he slipped into the room and shook the other man's hand.
"I want Alberto." Sheamus told him, not wasting pleasantries, "I want him at Survivor Series."
"You got him." Booker promised him, "You and Del Rio will have a match at Survivor Series."
Sheamus began to grin evilly, imagining everything he was going to do with to the cocky aristocrat. Not just for the attacks he'd made on him but for the way he had also treated Kimber.
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Kimber marched down the hallway. As she rounded a corner she let out an 'oof' as she ran into someone.
"I am so sorry!" she quickly apologized, stepping back.
"I don't think anything's broken so don't worry about." Bobby let out a chuckle and shook his head, "Might want to watch those corners, though. See you, Kimber."
He gave her a wave and walked off. Kimber leaned back against the wall and sighed, feeling like a complete twit. And a bitch. Okay, mainly a bitch.
Here Sheamus had gone and extended an olive branch and what did she do? Threw it back in his face. And why? Was she really still miffed over what he had said to her?
She paused, thinking last night over. Something she had been doing since she dragged herself into bed the night before.
The truth was it wasn't his words that were the problem. It was the fact that she was still afraid of him.
She could still see that video of his attack on Triple H again and again in her mind. And when he had grabbed her. . .
She looked down at her arm and frowned. He hadn't hurt her. He had wanted to get her attention, turn her around, yes. But his touch hadn't been hurtful.
And the pain in his eyes over her reaction to him. . .
She closed her eyes and sighed angrily. She had really messed up this time.
"Kimber, are you all right?"
Her eyes flew open and she breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Layla and Kaitlyn approach her. Both women appeared very concerned.
"We saw what happened." Kaitlyn clarified, "Del Rio is such a sleazebag."
"I'm fine." she tried to assure them, even going so far as to offer a small smile, "Really, I'm okay."
The Divas looked at one another hesitantly before Layla spoke up, "We, uh, we also saw you with Sheamus."
"Are you two seeing each other?" Kaitlyn blurted out.
Layla gave her a narrowed look, aghast at her audacity. But she, too, regarded the SmackDown reporter with curiosity.
"No." Kimber quickly told the women, "No way."
"Why not?" Kaitlyn began to grin and shrugged, "I wouldn't kick him out of my bed for eating crackers."
"I don't have time to even think about romance right now. I want to focus on my career." she added, set, "And besides, I don't want to be with a man like that."
"Why not?" Layla questioned as Kaitlyn asked, "You don't think he's attractive?"
"No, no it's not that." Kimber assured them, "That's not the problem. In fact, I think he's very handsome. But he has a temper and that. . ."
She looked down at her clasped hands and admitted softly, "That frightens me."
"Oh, Kimber, you have him all wrong." Layla tried to reassure her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"He's really a good guy." Kaitlyn agreed.
"What about what he did to Triple H?" Kimber asked them pointedly, "He wasn't exactly a good guy then, was he?"
"No, no you're right." Layla nodded, "Sheamus was a bit of a bad guy when he first got here. But that was a couple of years ago. And he's changed."
"He really has." Kaitlyn added.
"Look at me." Layla began to smile, "There was a time when I wasn't exactly so sweet and kind, myself. But I changed. And so has he."
"He's a good man." Kaitlyn told the reporter, "With a good heart. Just give him a chance and you'll see that."
Kimber looked back and forth between the two, taking in their words.
It was true, she had seen his good side. Been the recipient of it twice even.
But still. . .she just couldn't shake her doubts.
Or maybe she was just afraid to.
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Kimber found herself going to the Westbridge Elementary School early the next morning. Triple H had called her and told her to cover the B.A. Star rally that was taking place there that morning.
As she and Joel entered the auditorium she couldn't help but smile as she watched all the school children sitting on the floor, anxiously awaiting the WWE Superstars who were going to appear.
Stephanie McMahon approached her as she entered, shaking her hand and greeting her, "Kimber, good morning."
"Good morning, Ms. McMahon." she never knew if she should address her by her maiden or married name.
"If you and your cameraman want to set up over there." Stephanie pointed towards an empty area on the right side of the gym, "I'll be speaking along with Sheamus and David Otunga."
Kimber blinked. Sheamus was going to be there? And just when she thought this day would go off without a hitch.
"Wait." something clicked in her mind, "David Otunga is going to be speaking?"
Stephanie began to laugh at her dubious expression, "He's actually very good with the kids. You'd be surprised."
"I guess." Kimber murmured in amazement.
"Anyway," the WWE higher up went on, "After the rally we'll do a few interviews with you and the local papers and then that's it."
"All right." Kimber smiled, "We'll go set up."
She and Joel took their positions, the cameraman focusing his lens and getting everything set.
She heard the kids begin to talk excitedly and she glanced towards the doorway. David entered, big thermos of coffee in his hand. He smiled and shook hands with Stephanie.
The kids talking turned to cheers as the Celtic Warrior, himself, entered the room.
Kimber swallowed hard, her heart racing slightly.
Despite what had recently gone on between them she had to admit he looked amazing in his dark suit and dress shirt. Too amazing. She didn't want to be attracted to him. She wanted to stay angry at him.
Kind of hard to do when he looks that good, she thought with a resigned sigh.
The Irishman walked over to Stephanie, shaking her hand and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Stephanie looked up at him with a warm smile and began to talk to him.
Kimber was a little surprised by their interaction. That was definitely not the greeting she was expecting.
But the more she thought about it, the more she realized it made sense. It had been a few years ago since Sheamus and Triple H's rivalry. It would only stand to reason that, by now, it was water under the bridge between them.
He definitely doesn't seem like that angry man I saw in the video, she thought to herself, Maybe Layla and Kaitlyn were right when they said he had changed.
Stephanie, Sheamus and David walked up to the podium and took their seats. They watched as the principal stepped up the mic and began the rally.
She introduced Stephanie and the Superstars. Kimber couldn't help but smile as she noticed that Sheamus got the largest cheers of all. She could see that the Irishman was both surprised and touched by the reaction and she felt her heart melt a little towards him.
Stephanie started the rally off, talking to the kids about bullying and what the B.A. Star program was about.
As her speech ended she gave the floor to David Otunga.
Kimber began to smirk, half wondering if the arrogant lawyer/wrestler would threaten to sue the kids if they misbehaved. But instead, as the WWE higher up had proclaimed, he simply talked to them. Told them about his own experiences. Kimber had to admit she was impressed.
Soon David conceded the floor and Sheamus rose from his chair. The children went nuts, their cheers deafening, as the Celtic Warrior stepped up to the podium.
"How is everybody doin'?" a grinning Sheamus asked the auditorium.
He was answered with hundreds of screams and a few happy voices yelling out "Good!".
"This is a great crowd!" he replied, earning another round of cheers.
"In case you just scream for every random person walkin' into the room, my name is Sheamus," he went on, "Ah'm a WWE Superstar. And Ah'm proud to talk to all of you today about the B.A. Star program. Is everyone here familiar wit' the B.A. Star program?"
He was answered with cheers and choruses of "Yes!"
"Ah'm proud to be a part of the program." the Irishman went on, "It's an anti-bullying program. A subject that's not very nice, not a very pleasant subject, is bullying.
"Unfortunately bullying happens in schools, not just here in the United States, but all over." Sheamus looked out over the auditorium as he went on.
Joel leaned in close to Kimber and murmured, "He's really very good."
"He's amazing." the SmackDown reporter agreed.
She leaned back against the wall, transfixed, watching the Irishman as he spoke to the kids.
"Believe it or not," Sheamus stated, "When Ah was a kid Ah was actually, uh, Ah was actually bullied."
Kimber blinked, stunned. She never would have imagined that the six-foot-six-inch tall, two hundred and seventy pound man could have been the victim of bullying.
"So Ah'm gonna do somethin' right now." Sheamus replied as he slipped his hand from his pants pocket and raised it into the air, "Ah'm gonna put my hand up right now. Anyone else here been bullied?"
Over half the students raised their hands.
Kimber looked around the room, a frown marring her pretty features. It broke her heart to know so many kids had been hurt.
She was lucky enough to have never been bullied growing up. Coming from a small town in Colorado, where everyone knew everyone else, had really helped. She and her classmates had been pretty close. They had never had squabbles larger than who took the last crayon in elementary school to what they were going to do that Friday or Saturday night in high school.
Her gaze went to her feet, her frown deepening. No, never bullied growing up. But later on, as an adult. . .
She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. No, no she wouldn't think of that here. Not here and not now.
She opened her eyes and forced herself to focus on Sheamus.
"That's a lot of hands." the Irishman observed as he slowly lowered his hand, "Okay, does anybody here know what to do if yer being bullied?"
He walked around the podium and towards the students sitting on the floor. He made his way through them and came to stop before a little boy.
"You." he said, motioning for the child to stand, "What's yer name?"
The little boy looked up at him with wide eyes, completely awestruck as he murmured, "Angelo."
"Angelo," Sheamus repeated, "Do you know what to do if you or someone else is being bullied?"
"Tell a grownup." the little boy answered.
"Tell a grownup." Sheamus agreed, "That's exactly right. And when you tell a grownup who else can ya tell?"
"Umm. . .a teacher?" the little boy grew thoughtful.
"A teacher." Sheamus replied, reaching out to shake the boy's hand, "Thank you, Angelo. Let's hear it for Angelo."
The kids cheered at that and Sheamus made his way back to the front.
"That's right." Sheamus went on, "If you or any of yer friends or anybody you see is being bullied, whether it's by people callin' 'em names. By physical bullying or social media bullying-that's Facebook and everything. If you see someone being bullied or yer being bullied yerself the important thing you have to do is tell a trusted grownup or talk to yer teacher.
"When Ah was a kid and Ah was bullied, um, Ah was embarrassed that Ah was bein' picked on." the Irishman told the students, "Cause when Ah was a kid, when Ah was about yer age or younger, Ah was like small and chubby. Like ginger hair. Worse hair than this. It was bad. My hair before was way worse.
That garnered a laugh from the adults and Kimber found herself smiling.
"Loads of freckles." the former World Heavyweight champion went on, "Ya know, whiter than that wall back there. Yeah, whiter than that Ah was. Ah was embarrassed. Ah thought there was something wrong about me. Ah thought Ah was the problem.
"Eventually Ah came to realize from friends and from teachers that the problem wasn't wit' me. The problem was wit' the bully. . ."
Kimber slowly began to frown. She really had no idea that he had had it so rough growing up. She couldn't help but feel her heart ache for the young boy, so hurt and alone and embarrassed.
As she continued to listen to him she began to feel a kinship to him. Or, at least, maybe understand him a little bit better.
It wasn't long before he finished and the rally drew to a close.
When it was over Stephanie and the Superstars posed for pictures and took interviews with the local papers.
When it was Kimber's turn she got a few sounds bites with Stephanie and David. She glanced over at Sheamus and paused, watching as he finished up an interview with a second grader who was writing an article for the school's paper.
She couldn't help the soft smile that touched her lips as she watched the massive wrestler with the small child. Even in his nice dress suit he was sitting cross legged on the floor with the boy. They were talking animatedly and SmackDown reporter couldn't decide who was more excited. The boy or Sheamus.
"Aww." she couldn't help but murmur, hand to her heart, as she watched the little boy give him a hug. The child was all but swallowed up in the wrestler's strong arms making it one of the sweetest sights she had ever seen.
"I knew the guy was really a big softy." Joel joked to her.
"See ya, fella." Sheamus gave the boy a high-five and a wave and sent him on his way.
He shook his head and chuckling over the child's enthusiasm. He was surprised he had been able to answer any of the boy's questions, his mouth and mind going at a hundred miles an hour.
He glanced to his right, pausing, his grin slowly beginning to fade. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he watched Kimber looking at him. She had a slight smile on her lips and he knew she had seen him with the lad.
He rose to his feet as she and her cameraman approached him, his expression passive.
"I, um, I was wondering if I could get an interview." Kimber asked him hesitantly, "For the website. If that's okay."
"Sure." he couldn't help but add, "After all, ya want to do yer job, right?'
Kimber sighed inwardly, thinking he was giving her a hard time. But then she realized there hadn't been any malice in his voice. And there was a definite mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
She felt herself loosening up and she began to interview him, "Sheamus, what does the B.A. Star program mean to you?"
"It means a lot." the Celtic Warrior answered, crossing his thick arms over his immense chest, "Ah, myself, was bullied as a kid. Ah wish there would have been programs like the B.A. Star program back in my day. It would've made me feel like Ah didn' have to go through it alone. And if we reach just one kid today, well it's all worth it, lass."
"I can see it's a program very close to your heart." Kimber replied, heartfelt.
"Oh, it is." Sheamus agreed, a weak laugh escaping him, "When Ah came to the WWE Ah-and Ah'm not proud to admit this-but Ah was a bully, meself. See Ah was repeating the cycle. But because of the B.A. Star program Ah learned to see the error of my ways. You don' have to be a bully. Be a star."
Kimber glanced over at Joel who nodded and lowered the camera.
"I think we got it." she told the wrestler with a kind smile, "Thank you, Sheamus."
"Sure." Sheamus nodded and went over to retrieve his bag.
Kimber watched after him, her fingers knotted. She was hesitant on what to do. Part of her thought she should just leave. After all the misunderstandings between them that would probably be for the best.
There was another part, though. One that thought she owed him more than that. Especially considering that he had tried to make the effort for her. And if he refused, well that would be that. They could both go back to their respective jobs.
Just go talk to him, she told herself, Come on, Kim, he's not Andrew. At least go apologize to him.
"Sheamus?" she called out to him, hating the way her voice sounded timid to her ears.
Sheamus paused and looked over his shoulder at her, "Yeah?"
Kimber swallowed and stepped up him, still doubting if this was a good idea or not.
"I. . ." she ducked her heard for a second before silently willing herself to meet his eyes, "I owe you an apology. Both for what I said to you at SmackDown and the way I behaved at the hotel. It was a simple misunderstanding and I should have let it go at that. And I appreciate that you apologized at the show. Thank you for that."
His smile came easily, "Don' worry about it, Kember. It's like you said, it was just a misunderstanding. You were right about something, though. It's none of my business what you do. Ah'm sorry for buttin' in."
Kimber began to grin and she extended her hand, "I'm willing to let bygones be bygones if you are."
"As me uncle, Mick O'Connor, always says 'May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out.'" the Celtic Warrior told her as his large hand enveloped hers and gave it a friendly squeeze.
Kimber grinned, "Your uncle sounds like a very wise man."
"He is indeed." Sheamus agreed.
Their smiles slowly began to fade as they realized their hands were still joined. Kimber glanced down at them and she fought to control her steadily racing heart.
Sheamus licked his lips. What he wanted more than anything was to see if her skin was as smooth to his lips as it was to his hand. The need to do so was dangerously rising.
Instead he released her hand. Slipping his own into the pocket of his pants, he took a step back and scratched his chin thoughtfully with the other.
"Ah have to wonder though, lass." he carefully picked his words, "Why are you so skittish around me? Back at the hotel you looked like you were about to scream bloody murder when Ah grabbed you. Ah owe you a huge apology for that, too, by the way."
Kimber inhaled. She was hoping he would let that go.
"It's nothing." she tried to shrug it off and offered him a kind smile, "It's my problem. I'm sorry for overreacting. Anyway, thank you. I'll let you get back to your day."
She turned and began to make her way back across the gym.
Sheamus stared after her. The truth was he didn't want this time with her to end. He wanted it to continue. He wanted to keep talking to her.
He wanted to know what exactly it was that made her so afraid.
"Kember!" he called to her.
She drew to a stop and slowly turned back to face him. Her expression told him that she didn't want to discuss it.
"Ah was wonderin'." he replied as he approached her, trying a new tactic, "If you'd eaten yet? Cause Ah'm starvin'."
"Um, no." Kimber offered him a hint of a smile, grateful that he had decided to drop it, "No I haven't. But don't let me keep you."
"The only thing yer keeping me from is breakfast." he told her with a wink, "Will you join me?"
Kimber paused, unsure.
He saw her hesitation and his grin grew, "Come on now, lass. A girl has got to eat. A fella, too, because if Ah don' get some food into me stomach soon it's liable to start a mutiny."
That garnered a laugh out of her. As she did so Sheamus found himself chuckling. She had one of those deep belly, infectious laughs that he always found enjoyable.
"Okay." she nodded as her laughter died down, "Okay, you win. Let's go to breakfast."
The Irishman began to beam.
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The pair sat across from one another in a quaint little outdoor café. The weather was surprisingly nice for November. Crisp and clean, with the sun's rays warming them.
As the Irishman tapped his thumb against the surface of the table he found himself looking over at Kimber. She met his gaze and the pair grinned almost shyly at each other.
What's the matter wit' ya, fella? he asked himself, It's not like you haven' had breakfast wit' a pretty girl before.
Of course those breakfasts had been breakfasts in bed.
The second he thought that he knew it was a mistake. His mind was instantly flashing to images of Kimber in his bed, wrapped in his sheets, and he cursed himself for the thoughts. She wasn't just some girl. She was more than that. Meant more than that.
How much more he wasn't sure. He had to admit he was both curious and nervous to find out.
The Celtic Warrior inhaled and got right to the point, "So why are ya so scared to be around me, Kember?"
Kimber blinked, nearly choking on her orange juice. She coughed a few times and took another sip, trying to find the right words.
She sat her glass down, her eyes locked on it, as she murmured, "I'm not."
"Ya want to say that to me face then?" his words, gentle, reached her ears.
She shook her head and sighed. She wasn't fooling anyone and they both knew it. She might as well be honest.
She dared to peek up at him and replied almost hesitantly, "I was doing some research. Watching some videos."
"Videos?" Sheamus repeated.
"Of you." Kimber finally met his gaze, hers unwavering.
"Of me. . ." Sheamus prompted her to go on.
"Attacking Triple H with a steel pipe." she finished quietly, her eyes once again going to her juice glass.
Sheamus rubbed his jaw and inhaled, silently cursing himself. So that's why she was so skittish around him. Of course she was. Who wouldn't be after seeing some of his greatest hits. Literally.
He lowered his hand to the table and nodded, "Ah, it all makes sense now. Ah don' blame you for feelin' afraid of me.
"Ah wasn' the nicest guy back then." he went on, completely honest with her, "In fact, Ah was an arsehole. Cocky and sure of meself. There's no other way to put it. Ah'm not proud of my behavior."
He reached out and gently placed his hand on hers. He felt her hand jump at the touch but he kept his where it was. He didn't want her to fear his touch. The exact opposite, in fact.
Her green eyes met his blue ones, her expression a bit guarded. But she didn't pull away. He took encouragement in that.
"But Ah'm not that guy anymore. Ah changed." he went on, adding with a hint of a smile, "Being beaten by Santino can make a man humble."
Kimber giggled, another pleasant sound to his ears, "Yeah, I can see how that can happen."
She studied him for a few moments. He met her gaze head on, open to her silent inspection. He appeared so sincere, so honest. He didn't makes excuses for his behavior and she appreciate that more than she could say. She was so sick of excuses that meant nothing. . .
Come on, Kimber, she told herself as she tried to shake the bad memories away, He's not Andrew. Nothing like him from what you can see.
She offered him a real smile, "You were wonderful with those children today."
Sheamus shrugged good-naturedly, "They were good kids."
He couldn't help but grow serious again. They had had a nice moment, but he wanted to make sure everything was out on the table.
"Is that all?" he quietly asked her.
Kimber glanced down at the table and shrugged. It was as far as her feelings about him. But for why she was the way she was. . .she couldn't tell him. It was too private. And besides, despite all that had happened between them recently she still didn't know him very well. Certainly not well enough to confide in him about something so profound.
The Irishman reached over and touched the tip of her chin, lifting it up. He felt a spark go through his hand and noted just how soft her skin was. He briefly wondered if she felt that soft all over.
"Are you bein' straight wit' me, lass?" he questioned her.
She did pull away then, grabbing hold of her napkin and fiddling with it.
"It's nothing." she murmured, trying to appear nonchalant, "Just me and my own hang ups."
She peeked over at him and flashed a nervous grin, "I just need to get used to. . .spirited men, is all."
Sheamus understood what she really meant by that. His mind went back to SmackDown and how she had looked so afraid of him after his fight with Del Rio.
The waitress arrived with their food then, sitting the plates before them. Sheamus and Kimber thanked her and she slid the bill onto the table and left.
"Ah do have a temper." he replied, offering a cheeky grin, "Comes wit' bein' a ginger. And an Irishman to boot."
She smiled a little at that.
Sheamus grew serious, catching her eye before going on, "But Ah've never raised my hand to a woman. And Ah never would. Only a coward does that. Besides my sainted mother would kick me arse and Ah'm much too afraid of her."
Kimber grinned at that. A full, shining grin. It warmed Sheamus' heart to see it and he felt a little better about their talk. He only hoped she felt the same way. It was strange but, more than anything, he wanted her to trust him.
They dug into their food. While they ate he couldn't help but grin at her choices.
She definitely wasn't like most women he knew. Her plate was filled with eggs and bacon and hash browns. No counting calories for this one.
"It's nice to see a woman wit' a healthy appetite." he winked at her, "And not starving herself wit' a shred of lettuce and a carrot."
Kimber glanced down at her plate and blushed. She also grinned, though, and admitted, "I love food. Of course that means more time in the gym but it's worth it."
"Are you driven in all things?" the Celtic Warrior asked her.
Kimber laughed, "I am."
"Well Ah can see yer very passionate about yer job." he told her appreciatively.
"I am." Kimber agreed, thoughtful.
"So yer expectin' to be the next Barbara Walters?"
"No." the SmackDown reporter told him with a shake of her head, the young woman set and determined, "I want to be the next JR."
Sheamus' eyes widened, impressed by the frankness of her announcement. He appreciated people who were honest and admitted what they wanted.
"That's a tall order." he nodded, milling over what she had said.
Kimber shrugged, "Well, maybe not the next JR. But almost as good. I want to be a commentator. I always have.
"When I was a little girl my dad, older brother, Derek, and I used to watch Raw," a faraway look came to her eyes and a smile flittered across her lips, "We would turn down the volume and Derek and I would call the matches ourselves."
Sheamus smiled at that. He could picture a young Kimber, green eyes bright with excitement, calling the action.
"The WWE has never had a female commentator and I want to be the first." she shrugged, "I mean, I know I'm still pretty young and new to the company. But I'm going to keep working hard. And hopefully someday I'll be calling the matches."
Sheamus leaned back in his seat, suddenly very serious, "Ah'm not so sure Ah'd like you to be calling my matches."
Kimber blinked, surprised by his sudden change in attitude, "Why not?"
He grinned and winked, "Cause Ah wouldn' be able to keep my head in the match or me eyes off the announce table."
Kimber ducked her head, her cheeks reddening.
"Flatterer." she stuck her tongue out at him and grinned, her nose crinkling.
Sheamus chuckled before digging back into his breakfast.
Not so much a flatter, lass, he thought with a hint of a smile, But Ah'm sure as hell trying to flirt wit' ya.
.
.
.
.
.
Kimber returned to the hotel and made her way through the lobby, intent on getting packed up and out onto the road.
There was an extra spring in her step, the young woman thrilled to have a few days off.
Who was she kidding, she thought with a tender smile. Her breakfast with a certain charming Irishman was the real cause of her giddy nature.
And what a charmer he was.
And handsome.
And honest.
And good.
And he had the warmest hands and the softest touch. . .
She shivered a bit at that, unsure if it was due to pleasure or fear. Or maybe she was afraid of just how much pleasure she had gotten from it.
What was it her councilor, Lindy, had told her? Oh yeah, enjoy the feelings and don't try to overanalyze them.
Kimber closed her eyes briefly and sighed. Easier said than done.
She pushed the thoughts away and got back to the business at hand. She needed to pack up and be on the road if she wanted to make her flight on time.
She was packed in record time and came down to the front desk to check out.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay, Ms. Gentry." the desk clerk told her with a bright smile.
"I did." Kimber told the woman happily, "Thank you."
"Oh, and this came for you last night." the desk clerk handed her an envelope.
"Thank you." Kimber accepted it with a smile, picked up her bag and headed out to meet her cab.
As she handed the driver her bag and slipped into the back seat her eyes fell on the envelope.
It was addressed to her care of the WWE.
A slight smile touched her lips and her heart sped up a little. Could it be an actual fan letter? For her?
As the taxi made it's way towards the airport she opened it and pulled out the letter inside.
But as she began to read it her eyes lost their light and her smile faded away.
Dearest Kimberlynn,
You are so beautiful. I love the way your eyes twinkle.
And your smile always lights up the screen.
I'm always watching.
The letter began to tremble. It was then that she noticed that her hands were shaking. She folded the piece of paper up carefully and slipped it back into the envelope, her lips pressed tightly together.
"Everything okay, miss?"
Her eyes darted up and she noticed the cabby was watching her in the rearview mirror.
She somehow managed to offer him a small smile and murmured, "I'm fine. Thank you."
But the truth was she wasn't. She wasn't fine at all.