Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me
I don't wanna leave her now
You know I believe in hell…

"This has got to be the lowest point in my life…" Stacie said as she sat backstage waiting for her solo moment on Smackdown. She didn't mind being on the road, she didn't mind working for the family business, she didn't even mind occasionally going in front of the camera. But she did not care for where this story line was heading. Her dear sweet daddy decided to get her in on the that damn Legacy story line. So far for the evening that Randy Orton had managed to get restraining orders against the McMahon's that left them just outside of the arena, except he had forgotten about Stacie. Now she was going down to confront him.

"Relax girl." Maria said adjusting a strap that was twisted on Stacie's dress. For whatever reason the creator's decided to give her a pin up girl look. "God, I would kill for your curves."

"It's not curves sweety, it's being squeezed into outfits that push your plush around to give you the illusion of curves." Stacie laughed turning to face Maria. Maria was nothing more than a sweet heart and she and Stacie had become pretty fast friends. It was nice to have someone there to talk too before moments like these. She sighed and gave Maria a reassuring smile as her music hit, thank God they had changed it, per her request, now it was Heart Shaped Glasses by Marylin Manson. She was a bit nervous, she was supposed to get "attacked" and while Orton had gone over it today, like a well cheographed dance, she had never ever imagined herself ever getting physical in the ring. Oh well… do or die and she sucked in a breath and left for the ramp.

_______________________

"She's a hot little number," Cena said, a few of the Smackdown wrestlers had gathered around a television backstage to watch the drama unfold. Mark was one of them, and he had to agree. They had her in this flirty yellow dress, her hair was pinned back with a red rose and her jewelry and shoes were a cherry red. She was a natural on the mic, reminding Orton that while she may not have been up front and center, she was the one backstage that had pushed for him to have a job. She was good at playing the even cool; maybe McMahon was right, Stacie did bring balance to the WWE. She had no drama attached to her, she was attractive, and kept a cool demeanor.

"Yeah," Maria said, "I hope she decides to continue with this, her contract is only good for six months I think."

"Why six months?" Mark asked, that was such a short amount of time.

"I don't think she enjoys this," Maria shrugged, "She's more of a homebody. She really misses her home and normalcy of it, I can't blame her. She felt like she was selling out to herself by even doing this."

"Well, if you look at the McMahon's past in front of the camera, I can't really blame her." Cena said laughing, "That family is nothing but a drama magnet for this company. Mark nodded his head in agreement, Stacie hated pretending. Her family always acted so dysfunctional on the camera and the story lines her dad came up with were borderline unethical. Mark continued listening to Stacie and Orton hash it out and was about to turn to go get ready for his match when he noted Orton getting closer to Stacie.

"Surely he isn't going to…" Mark stuttered out, watching as Orton moved in to do an RKO on Stacie. Mark felt his blood run cold, even though he knew it was scripted, he knew Stacie had zilch wrestling knowledge. Mark's muscles tensed as he watched Orton move his hand around Stacie's neck and brought her down to the mat. He wasn't sure if she was acting or if she was really out cold. Orton's music was blaring as he made his way up the ramp and turned to look at Stacie in the ring – he then gave the symbol for medical help by tapping his chest twice with his fist. Orton was a dead man in Mark's eyes.

"You're a dead man Orton!" Mark roared as Orton came through the curtain.

"'Taker! We rehearsed it! This is just to be sure! Vince wanted medics to come out to double check her before she even moved." Mark snapped his eyes back to the television screen and watched as the medics rushed down to Stacie. He could see her lips moving and her eyes, there were no tears… and then it cut to commercial.

"Goddamn it…" Mark uttered beneath his breath and moved to the curtain peeking out just as Stacie moved past him holding her neck.

"That is the first and last time I ever get physical with any of you…" She blurted out, swatting away the paramedics aid of an ice pack.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Mark roared at her, "You could have hurt yourself! Killed yourself!"

"Excuse me, Mr. Calaway?" Stacie shot an eyebrow up and placed both hands on her hips, reminding him that she was still his boss – in a round about way.

"Sorry. Just… concerned since you've never…" Stacie waved her hand at him and walked off, rubbing at her neck. He then realized all the weird looks he was getting from the other wrestlers, including Michelle.

"I… promised Vince…. You know… well… she doesn't exactly know what it means to take those sorts of risks." Mark finally blurted out.

"Mark, she's Vince's daughter. You need to make sure you're not overstepping your boundaries." Michelle cooed up at him and wrapped her arm around him and lead him back to the back. Maria and John exchanged looks.

"God they make me sick."

"What?" John laughed...

"You know she's just using him!" Maria whispered in a hushed tone, pointing to Michelle as she disappeared down a corridor.

"Well… Mark seems happy." Maria just rolled her eyes and stalked off to find Stacie; she was probably just irked at Michelle's ego that had been getting bigger and bigger lately.

____

"Is your neck still bothering you?" Her dad asked, looking concerned as she continued to absent mindedly rub her neck. It had been nearly 2 weeks since Orton had RKO'd her, and she was still a little stiff.

"Just stiff." Vince placed his hand on the back of her neck and rubbed it gently. Her dad may play a class A bastard, but she knew that she was always his little girl. She smiled and closed her eyes at his touch as he massaged the lump out of her neck.

"Thanks daddy," just then Mark peeked his head into their family suite.

"Ready? We need to get to the air port here pretty soon." Stacie nodded and handed Mark her bags and followed him out to the waiting car. He barely spoke a word to her, but that was to be expected. Word had gotten out that he and Michelle were moving in together in a few weeks, and it was with that thought that she felt her heart wince. Why couldn't he parade you around back stage? Everyone, even the fans, know of him and Michelle. The back stage crew… the other wrestlers… your parents. He even parades her in front of you. Stacie couldn't help but feel a little jipped, she wasn't exactly plastic pretty, but she had managed to keep all the parts she was born with and feel secure in them. Then screw him, if that's what he wants…..Great… 10 minutes into this trip and I've already made myself mad at him.

"We should get to Colorado around lunch time." Mark declared as he opened the car door for him. She just nodded at him and sat down. Two weeks in Colorado was two weeks too long, God she hoped this time would fly by. She watched as Mark stalked around the car and slid into his seat, readjusting the seat so his legs would at least half way fit.

"So I hear your contract is only good for another 5 months."

"Yeah… I can't take all this." Stacie knew that statement had a deeper meaning, she was hoping Mark wouldn't catch it.

"Well, you're certainly becoming a fan favorite and fast. Did you know you were the most googled person last week?"

"Really?" She didn't know, that was rather flattering.

"Maybe you should stay on longer?"

"That's highly doubtful Mark, and you know that." She heard Mark sigh and she turned to watch the scenery pass by her window. The sooner they could get to Colorado the better.

__________________

Mark was hoping she would take the bait for staying longer, but he knew better. She was a woman that once her mind was made up that was it. Most days, when they were together, that would drive him damn near insane, but he loved it at the same time. He never had to guess where she stood and she meant what she said, when she said it. He remembered the first time he told her that he loved her. It was an unusually warm night in November….

November 1996

Mark and Stacie were out on the deck of his little house in Texas, they had just finished dinner and Mark was the most content he had been in a while. He looked over at Stacie, she was rocking back and forth in the rocker with her eyes closed, listening to the sound of the crickets. She looked so content, they were so content – this was it. She was it.

"Hey darlin'?" Mark asked, rubbing his fingers down her arm and taking her hand in his.

"Mmm?' She replied, opening one eye to look at him. He couldn't help but smile, she had such a way of being completely endearing to him.

"I've been thinking…. And I want to know how you feel about maybe…. Moving in together?" Both of her eyes were on him now, and her features were wearing this hopefull yet hesitant look.

"Why?"

"Because…. Well… the truth of it is…. I, well, I love you." Mark continued to look her in the eye to show her he meant it, and was relieved he saw a grin crack at the corners of her lips. She surprised him by jumping up and leaping onto his lap, plastering the longest, hardest kiss he ever experienced.

"I love you…" she finally mumbled between kissing him.

Stop it! Mark thought to himself. There can't be anything good about dwelling on the past. His emerald eyes scanned back over to Stacie who was staring out the window, he could tell she was still uncomfortable in his presence and he couldn't blame her. Mark kept one hand on the wheel and ran his other hand over his goatee. The truth of it was, their lives were completely different from how he had ever imagined. After Stacie left Mark had drank himself into a stupor for weeks. He's go on, perform his Ministry of Darkness gig, wrestle some and sleep in the hotel. Everyone had been worried about him, including Stacie's parents and siblings. No one ever breathed Stacie's name to him, and he didn't dare ask Vince. Vince and he had a great working relationship, but Vince made it abundantly clear that if it had to come down to taking sides, he'd take Stacie's; amazingly no one ever asked why they had ended things and no one ever eluded to anything that had happened. They just knew things were over, Mark took it hard, and you didn't talk of Stacie. A few months after their split Mark had met Sara and he wasn't sure if it was out of a need to feel wanted or just a way to dull the pain, he somehow landed a wife.

Shortly after the marriage and he started the American Bad Ass identity, which involved Sara, he had overheard Shane talking to Stephanie about how Stacie quit watching wrestling – Mark could only imagine why. He had always been adamant not to parade a relationship around, and there he was doing it. He glanced back over to Stacie and immediately felt like an ass. She had sincerely gotten the short end of the stick and could only imagine how she was holding up and coping. No wonder she didn't want to stay around any longer than she had too.

"Stacie?"

"Hmm?" He felt her eyes on him, but he chose not too look – besides they were heading into the rental car return area of the air port, best keep his eyes on the road.

"Thanks for coming."

"Don't mention it."

Mark sighed inwardly and prayed for the first time in years that Stacie would be alright through all of this.

_________

Stacie settled in the chair next to Mark, it was a tight squeeze, but she'd manage. After that first night in the limo with Mark, this was a piece of cake. In her heart she knew she had to get around this and make the most of the situation so she gave herself a little pep talk. Stacie Faith… you can do this. You told yourself over and over again that it's been 10 years; it appears that you are the one that can't seem to let any lingering feelings let go, so let them go. She closer her eyes and took a deep breath, breathing it out slowly through her lips, let him go…. Let him go…. She felt a bit better and opened her eyes to see him looking down quizzacly at her.

"What?"

"Small spaces…" she lied. Oh well, he'd get the hell over it and she settled into her seat and opened the book she was reading. Nice choice she thought, Romance Novel…. She shoved the book back into her pocket book.

"So what have you been doing with your life these past ten years?" Mark finally broke the awkward silence.

"Well… I finished my masters in Communications… and then that wasn't enough so I got a doctorate in Theology.

"Theology?"

"I was bored…. And after working in Marketing for a while in the WWE, I finally found a house I loved, but it was old and falling apart, but it had some amazing wood working and an old feel to it. So I refurbished it to just about its original intent – and loved the whole process. So then I went to a Community College, yes… with a Doctorate… to get my real estate license, started buying old properties, refurbishing them and selling them. It's nice to have something to fall back on. You?" She had kind of talked rather fast, hoping that if she talked fast then surely the flight would take longer. Nope…. Still on the ground.

"Well, I uhm…" she could see he was struggling.

"Well…. I know you got married…" she figured she'd break the ice.

"Yeah… and divorced. I partnered with a friend and started Calahart, had some more surgeries, won a few more Wrestlemania's… I did start some training facilities in Texas." Stacie smiled, that had always been a dream of his.

"Good. I'm happy for you." And she genuinely smiled at him, which he in turn smiled back – and in that smile she felt herself having to battle off all those old feelings again. This man was going to be the death of her.

_____________________________

Mark watched as she walked around this old building for the fourth time this week, but she was so enamored by it. It was Friday, they had been here since Monday, and she had been studying up on the building and finally had found old pictures of the interior of the building and now she had dragged him back here to take notes – all of which he had to sign off on. Normally he would complain about this sort of thing, but it had been so long since he had seen her this happy, she was like a kid in a toy store and this made him excited about the building and the renovations.

This is something Michelle would never get into, he suddenly thought to himself. He almost felt bad for thinking it, but knew his sub conscious was right. He and Michelle had been on the phone almost every night, and no matter how excited he was about everything going on she was just like a wet towel being thrown over a hot fire. It damn near drove him wild. He fished for his phone out of his pocket and switched it off and then called out to Stacie.

"We need to celebrate!" His voice echoed across the room, and he could see it made her jump; but soon he saw that dazzling smile cross her lips. At least this venture had brought them closer together, he found himself joking with her, laughing with her, and talking to her like they used to.

"We sure do! What do you have in mind?" He watched as she closed her notebook, her tiny body seemingly made to midget like status because of the size of the empty room.

"Dinner. My place. I've got some fresh steaks, shrimp, stuff to make salad, wine, potoatos, squash, zuchhini; and I haven't even cooked in my kitchen yet. How about it?" He was really expecting her to say no, but instead she nodded, tagged his shoulder and started running.

"Race you to the car…" she called over her shoulder. Mark grinned, he felt the electricity from the two in the air and knew tonight was going to be a good night, he decided to let her win, even though he knew she knew he was letting her win. Mark pressed the door to the building open and was greeted by the sunlight and a view of Pike's Peak ahead of them. Colorado was nothing like Texas and, as much as he hated to admit it, he loved it here. The views were breathtaking and Colorado actually had a winter, but right now it was fall and it was gorgeous, but not just because of the fall colors. Mark watched Stacie's hair blowing in the wind as she ran to his rental car, she turned causing few strands to blow in her face framing her laughing eyes and smile just perfectly. She was wearing just a pair of jeans and a bright red sweater that clung to her curves. For a brief moment Mark felt like nothing had changed between them, that they were still together and he was the happiest he had ever been in his life. Ever.