Just a heads up: I'm going to be tweaking history a little here and there for storyline purposes. So match orders and dates of actually events are going to be fudged. I guess this puts this in the category of an AU? Maybe? I think? Bueller? :P
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Ali sat down on a bench with a huff, a large pile of clothes in her lap. She looked on with a frown as Sheamus went through the store, picking out articles to try on.
She hated shopping. At least for clothes. Now if it were for movies, books or DVDs, well that was another story all together. Then she was in her element.
Sheamus emerged from the fitting room, donning a new outfit. And the assistant had to admit he looked positively gorgeous. Of course, he had looked gorgeous in everything he had tried on.
Darn him.
The Irishman studied his reflection in the mirror, eyes critical. He took in the black and gray pinstriped pants, black vest, white dress shirt and black and gray tie carefully.
When he had been told WWE wanted to run a cover story on him, complete with four page picture spread, for the next addition of their magazine it had been all he could do not to growl.
He didn't want to be presented like some bleedin' side of beef. Leave that to Cena and Morrison, who probably got off on that sort of thing. But not him.
What it really came down to was the fact that he didn't like getting his picture taken. Years of bullying had left his ego in tatters when it came to his appearance. The less time he could spend looking at himself, or having anyone else look at him, the better off he'd be.
He could just imagine what all those eejits would say when they spied his pictures. He could hear them now: Pasty ginger. Human jar of mayonnaise. Ronald McDonald. Beaker. He had heard them all.
He knew he wasn't handsome. It was a fact of life he had long ago accepted. There was no need to put it on display for the whole world to gawk at.
He opened his eyes, the blue depths cold and constricted. He turned to Ali, about to ask her what she thought, but then decided against it. Though things were starting to improve between them there was still a part of him that believed she would reject him, hurt him. Like most everyone else in his life.
He couldn't handle that. Not from her. Especially from her.
He paused as he focused on her. She was looking over the pile of clothes in her lap, a funny sight considering they almost towered her tiny form, her eyes locked in on something.
Sheamus wanted shake his head in annoyance. He could just imagine what her pretty eyes had spied. Some little trinket or bobble. There was a jewelry story just across the courtyard from the men's clothing store after all.
He followed her gaze and blinked, surprised. She wasn't staring at the jewelry store. Instead her eyes were locked on a display window in another shop. It contained a small selection of DVDs and other electronics.
At the sight of it, and the absolutely yearning written on her face, he felt himself begin to smile. Every time he thought he had her figured out, the lass managed to surprise him. Not an easy feat for a man not easily amazed.
"Ahlina." he called out, quickly smoothing away his smile. She didn't need to know that he found her charming.
Ali sighed and turned back to him, "Yes?"
He cleared his throat, fighting not to grin, "Is there somethin' more important you want to be doin' besides assistin' me?"
Ali started to say 'yes' but thought better of it. The day had gone off without a hitch, there was no reason to cause trouble now.
"Nope." she replied casually.
He studied her, rubbing his chin, "You sure about that, lass?"
He began to grin, "Because Ah figured you'd might want to take a break and go check out that electronics store you keep starin' at."
Ali blinked. Okay, that was the last thing she expected.
She slowly began to smile, "Really?"
"Really." he mocked her, but did so without malice.
The assistant began to beam as she carefully stood up and laid his clothes across the bench. Sheamus felt his heart swell at the expression. He had never seen a smile so bright. Not from her. And sure as hell not directed at the likes of him.
An unknown emotion began to churn in his gut. One he wasn't completely sure he liked because he didn't know what it represented.
At that moment one of the sales clerks came by, "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"
"Yeah." Sheamus motioned to the pile of clothes, "Ah'll be takin' those. Go ahead and wrap 'em up."
Behind the young woman Ali caught his eyes and mouthed, "Please."
"Um," he cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment, "Please, lass."
"Of course, sir." the clerk told him good-naturedly as she scooped up the pile of clothes and headed towards the register.
Ali grinned at him, causing his own smile to come back, and she turned and hurried out of the store. He watched after her, snickering. Most women would react that way to shopping for clothes, jewelry or shoes. But not his Alina. Who would have thought movies and electronics would be what sparked her passion.
He paused, his smile slowly dying on his lips. He had thought of her as his Alina. The thought instantly made him aggravated and he turned to storm back into the dressing room and change.
But she's not yers, is she, fella? he asked himself sourly, And she never will be. When are you goin' to get it through that thick head of yers? Women like that don' want men like you. Especially not that woman.
Sure, since that incident at the house show they had managed to come to some sort of understanding. But she was still leery of him. Careful, in her way. She certainly didn't go out of her way to talk to him.
Not that she was cold. In face he didn't even believe the lass knew the meaning of the word. He wasn't sure how he had mistaken her for an Ice Queen to begin with. She was just. . . cautious.
He yanked off the clothes, almost surprised he hadn't torn them in doing so, and paused before carefully hanging them back up. Sighing, he turned and went for the next outfit.
About fifteen minutes later he had finished, selected his outfits and paid for them. Now he was heading across the courtyard to the electronics store. While he was there he figured he might pick out a few movies for hisself, considering that he was quite the movie fan.
He walked into the store, trying to spot her. Not an easy feat considering the lass was smaller than most teens.
He has just finished going through the whole store when he felt annoyance begin to rise up within him. Where was she? Had she decided there was nothing she wanted and gone back to the clothing store?
He left and made his way back, looking around as he reentered. The clerk who had helped him before came hurrying back, most likely due to the obscene amount of money he had just spent there.
"Was there something else you wanted?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Yeah." Sheamus turned back to her, eyes narrowed in bewilderment, "Have you seen the woman I was with? Beautiful. Short. Brunette."
"No." the clerk shook her head, "Not since she left."
"Thank you." he muttered absently as he turned and stormed back out.
Where the bleedin' hell was she?! His annoyance was steadfastly turning to anger. What kind of game was she playing at?
He passed by the jewelry store and peered in. She wasn't there, either, not that he really expected her to be.
As he continued walking, eyes ever vigilant, he pulled out his cell phone. He was just about to punch in her number when he spied her through the window of the local library. Her back was to him, the young woman slipping around the corner of an aisle.
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and surged into the library, meaning to ream her the first chance he laid eyes on her.
The Irishman made his way through the building, finally coming to the poetry section. He drew to a stop as he spotted her at the end of the aisle, leaning against one of the bookshelves, a thick book open in her hands. She was staring intently at something.
"This doesn' look like the electronics store." he muttered as he approached.
Ali quickly looked up at him, eyes widening with surprise at his sudden arrival.
"Sorry about that." she murmured, eyes returning to the tome, "I was about to come back when I spotted the library. I wanted to come in and have a look."
"You and yer books." the Celtic Warrior sighed, but his anger began to diminish.
Though he hated to admit it, he was more relieved than anything. When he couldn't find her in the store he had actually thought. . .
He didn't want to admit what he had thought. Not even to himself. Besides it didn't matter because she hadn't left. She was there.
His eyes began to narrow in curiosity. Something about that book made her want to come here very badly. He wondered why it was so important to her.
"So what are you readin' anyway?" he asked as he tried to read the title.
She made it difficult, though, as she closed the book and tried to casually slip it behind her back. He could see through her, though, and he quickly snatched it away, holding it up and out of her reach.
He couldn't help but laugh as she continually jumped up in the air to try and reach it. An impossible task given the foot and a half height difference he had on her.
Ali let out a sigh and stopped. She crossing her arms under her chest and arched an eyebrow at him, waiting expectantly.
"Hi, how old are you again?" she asked pointedly.
Sheamus smirked at her but didn't answer. He lowered the book and studied it.
"Best Loved Poems of the American People." he read before turning back to her, his face unreadable.
Ali waited. She was so sure he was going to say something, make fun of her. Something. But to her surprise it didn't come. Instead he continued to study her, thoughtful.
She finally couldn't take it any longer and blurted out, "What? What are you thinking?"
"Nothin'." the wrestler glanced down at the book as he handed it back to her.
The assistant took it, unconsciously clasping it to her chest as she explained, "I, um, I always checked this book out at my local library when I was a teen. Once a month, in fact."
She looked down at it, smiling affectionately, "That is until one day. I went to check it out and discovered it was gone. Whomever had checked it out never brought it back."
He could see how wistful she was. It called forth something deep inside him but he wasn't sure what. Empathy, compassion. He didn't quite know the name of what he was feeling.
But he didn't like it. Whether it was because he was starting to feel something for her or because he was starting to feel period, he wasn't sure.
He didn't want to feel anything for her. Not when he knew it wouldn't lead to anything except for him getting hurt. And there was no way in hell that was happening to him. Not again.
"Come on," he replied gruffly as he turned and started to walk away, "We've got no time for this. There are things Ah have to do before the show tonight."
Ali stared after him in surprise. That man ran hot and cold more than anyone she knew!
She rolled her eyes and sighed, looking down at the book one last time. She trailed her fingers over the spine before reluctantly placing it back on the shelf and hurrying after him.
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Ali watched as Sheamus sat down on a chair, lacing up his boots. Raw was in full swing and there as a rumor going around that John Cena was planning on calling the Celtic Warrior out.
The idea of it instantly made her uneasy. She knew that those two together could only lead to violence and the last thing she wanted was for her best friend to get hurt.
As for the man seated before her. . .
She bite her lip, thoughtful. She's be lying if she said the idea of him getting hurt wouldn't bother her. The truth was, she didn't want any harm to come to him, either.
She really didn't understand her feelings when it came to him. She wasn't even sure if she knew what they were. But they were there and she couldn't deny that.
You've spent a few weeks with him, she told herself, It's only natural that you've formed some sort of bond with him. No, not with. To. To him.
What was she starting to feel for him? Friendship? Kinship? A small, very small, feeling of affection.
He wasn't all bad, she realized. Definitely not exactly what she thought he would be. He did have sparks of. . .what? Humanity? Kindness? Unfortunately they were few and far between. But they were there and that made her want to invest in him as a person.
He stood up and noticed her staring at him. He gave her a smirk and a wink, which caused Ali to roll her eyes and turn away.
"Like what you see, sweetness?" he asked, his grin growing.
"Would you please stop calling me that." the assistant bemoaned, knowing that it did no good to even ask, "And I wasn't staring. I was thinking. Big difference."
"Says who?" the Irishman snickered.
"Says the writer." Ali quipped, but a small smile found it's way to her lips.
"Thinkin' of puttin' me in yer book?" he took a step towards her and asked, voice lowering.
Ali inhaled, hating the way that deep tone sent a shiver down her spine. Darn him!
"Only as the villain." she retorted with a smirk.
To his credit Sheamus didn't look offended. He even laughed, a warm, rich sound.
"Ah wouldn' have it any other way, lass." he chuckled.
That gave her reason to pause. She crossed her arms under her chest, studying him, "You don't mind? Being the villain, I mean?"
His smile slowly left his face, something dark entering his eyes. He turned away and shrugged, offhand, "That's who Ah am."
"You don't have to be." Ali injected, "Not if you don't want to be."
He turned back to her, his smirk returning, "We both know Ah'm no hero, Ahlina."
Well, he did have her there. He was definitely not a hero. But still. . .that wasn't to say the man wasn't an anti-hero.
Unfortunately for her she had always had a thing for the anti-heroes of the world. Bad boys with hearts of gold. She suddenly found herself wondering if his heart was made of gold. Or only ice.
Sheamus gazed down at her, taking note of the way she studied him. Like she was trying to figure something out about him.
It made him uneasy. Because there was nothing to figure out. What you saw was what you got. He wasn't a hero. Never would be.
Anger began to churn in his gut. And he didn't want to be. Smilin' muppets who shook hands and kissed babies. Who allowed the cheers of the eejit fans to dictate what they did and who they were. He didn't want that to be him. Because he didn't need anybody. Not the stupid WWE Universe and not the woman standing before him now.
He turned away and stalked over to the monitor, turning it on. His eyes constricted as the screen came to life and the face of John Cena greeted him. His teeth began to grit and his hands began to clench at his sides.
"There's been a lot of talk going on in the WWE Universe concerning my loss to Sheamus at TLC." the former champion was saying, "Some say his win was deserved. Some say he won through an accident. 'John slipped', 'John was pushed'. Left is right, up is down, who's to say!"
He began to grin, "Well I don't know about Sheamus, but I don't like living with doubts. I say we do something to put all those doubts to rest. I say we do something that doesn't leave any room for doubts. I say. . ."
His grin grew as his voice gained in volume, "I say it's you and me. Steel cage. At this upcoming Money in the Bank!"
Ali dared to look at the Celtic Warrior. He continued to glare at the monitor, face red with rage.
Without a word he turned and stalked towards the door, grabbing her wrist and pulling her along after him. The assistant hurried to keep up, tripping and grabbing his arm for support so she wouldn't fall. He stopped and glowered at her, blue eyes cold.
"Just stop." Ali snapped, trying to pull free from his grasp, "Look, I'll follow you, all right. It's not like I have a choice anyway. But just. . .just stop, Sheamus."
His gaze landed on his hand, wrapped around her tiny wrist. He slowly loosened and then released his grasp, pulling away from her.
"Did Ah hurt you?" he asked and Ali was stunned by the sudden burst of concern. Especially now with him being so riled up.
"No." she murmured, honest, "No, you didn't hurt me."
He nodded, seemingly content with her answer, before turning and storming off towards the ring. She quickly followed after, almost jogging to keep pace with him.
Sheamus headed towards the curtain. He could hear the fans cheering, some of them even chanting his name. That jarred him. Why would they be chanting for him? He didn't want them. Didn't need them. Had made that a known fact and yet there they were.
He shoved that aside, instead focusing on the man out in the ring. With each step he took he felt his anger rise. What happened at TLC wasn't a fluke or luck. He had won because he was better than Cena. Had always been better and always would be better.
He stepped out on the stage and was greeted with a mixture of cheers and boos. He felt Ali come to his side and together they made their way down to ringside.
As Ali walked her eyes landed on John. He was regarding her with concern and she knew he still worried for her safety. She had told him she was all right, had done so quite a few times over the past few weeks. But, clearly, he didn't believe it.
Sheamus stepped into the ring and then did something that caused both the former champion and the assistant to be surprised. He turned and held the ropes open for Ali.
She looked at him, eyes widening a little. Her shock was obvious but he didn't acknowledge it, his own features still tense and filled with fury.
She promptly climbed between the ropes and watched as he moved passed John and over to the side of the ring to get a microphone.
"You all right?" John asked, his attention fixed on the young woman.
Sheamus came back, positioning himself between the pair, and muttered, "Does it look like Ah've been hurtin' her, Cena? She's fine."
"I was asking her." John pointedly asked the assistant again, "Ali, you okay?"
"I'm fine." she assured him, even going so far as to give him a small smile, "Really."
"Don' worry about her." the Irishman offered a cold smirk, "Ah'm the one you should be worried about.
"Did Ah hear you right? Did you just tell these muppets that my win at TLC was an 'accident'?" his grin grew as he took a step towards the other man, "Fella, what happened to you was no accident. Ah beat you fair and square."
He took another step, his grin turning into a sneer as he added, "And Ah have no problems doin' it again. You want a cage match at Money in the Bank? You got it. And Ah promise you, there'll be no doubts about the outcome."
"Oh I agree with you there." John nodded, smirking.
He turned his attention to Ali and started to approach her when Sheamus blocked his way, pushing John back a step. The former champion's eyes narrowed and he stepped up the Irishman, the pair now nose-to-nose.
"Whoa, hold on." Ali jumped in, trying to move them back. An impossible task considering they outweighed her and towered over her.
"What's your problem?" John accused, "I just want to talk to her. Why are you so threatened by that?"
Sheamus didn't answer him. He just grinned and stated, "Ah've got no problem wit' you talkin' to her. But right now Ah have a match and yer in me way."
"Match?" John scoffed, "With who?"
Ali was also confused. What was he talking about? She hadn't heard him mention any match.
Sheamus took a step back and grinned out over the crowd, "Ah want to be a fightin' champion. Prove me worth. And Ah figure, Ah might as well start tonight by giving one of the lad's in the back a title shot."
Ali blinked in surprise. A title shot? Tonight?
John regarded the Irishman closely, clearly wondering what he had up his sleeve.
Sheamus went on, "Ah want to take on an opponent who'll give me as big of a challenge as you will, Cena. A man who could be the next big WWE Superstar! So why don' you get out of the ring and let my opponent come on down."
John gave Ali a look. The assistant shrugged her shoulders in response. The former champion sighed and left the ring, turning his attention to the stage.
"Oh radio, tell me everything you know.
I like to sing with the radio.
I like to play it real loud.
I like to drive with the top down.
Rollin' like thunder, always drawing a crowd.
Every babe's gonna want a piece of me, yeah."
The crowd began to cheer as Zack Ryder stepped out onto the stage. John rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up in the air. He turned and made his way back up the ramp, passing Zack on the way. He slapped him on the back and wished him luck, knowing that he was going to need it.
Ali gaped up at Sheamus. He couldn't be serious.
The Irishman was grinning as he watched the Long Island Iced Z make his way down the ramp and towards the ring. Out of the corner he spied Ali watching him and he glanced over at her. She was frowning, clearly not amused.
"What?" he asked, annoyed, "Ah wanted to give the lad a chance."
"To do what?" the assistant muttered, "Get his ass kicked?"
She turned on her heels and made her way out of the ring and onto the floor. She crossed her arms and watched on angrily as Zack climbed into the ring. The poor guy. He actually thought he stood a chance.
Sheamus turned back to his opponent, the fun he had been feeling moments ago suddenly burning away. Now all he wanted to do was end this match and get out of there.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Justin Roberts announced, "This match is for the WWE championship! Introducing first, the challenger. From Long Island, New York and weighing 214lbs. . .Zack Ryder!"
The fans began to scream in approval. Ali simply shook her head. This wasn't going to be a match, it was going to be a massacre.
She glared up at Sheamus. She couldn't help but feel disappointed. To think, she actually thought he had some sibilance of honor. Some shred of fair play. How could she be so wrong?
"From Dublin, Ireland. Weighing 270lbs, he is the current WWE Champion! The Celtic Warrior. . .Sheamus!"
Sheamus stepped out to the center of the ring and raised his belt high in the air. He turned to the ref and handed the title over before throwing off his shirt and going to his corner.
It wasn't long before the bell rang and both challenger and champion charged out of their respective corners.
Seconds before Zack was to reach him Sheamus Brogue Kicked him, knocking the man to the canvas. The fans let out a mixture of groans and cheers as the Celtic Warrior covered him for the win.
The bell sounded and, grinning, the Irishman rose to his feet, arms above his head in victory.
He collected his belt and climbed out of the ring, starting back up the ramp. Ali promptly fell into step behind him, watching his back as they made their way onto the stage and behind the curtain.
It was only when they were back in his locker room did she speak.
"I sincerely hope you're not proud of yourself." she stated as she leaned back against the wall.
He glowered over his shoulder at her, "Don' start wit' me, Ahlina."
"I will start with you." she snapped, taking a step towards him, "What in the world was that all about out there? Huh? Zack Ryder? Really? Just what were you trying to prove? Hmm? That you could beat up a guy not even in your league?"
Sheamus chuckled coldly at her, "'Not even in my league'? Ah'm flattered, sweetness."
"Ugh, you're not even funny." Ali turned away, throwing up her hands in frustration, "And would you stop calling me that!"
His laughter answered her as he gathered his belongings and headed for the showers. Ali turned back around and slumped into a nearby chair, elbows on her knees and her face in her hands.
She had never felt more aggravated in her life. Why was this happening to her? What had she done to deserve this? Was she being punished for something she had done in a past life?
"Oi."
She blinked, looking up. She hadn't realized it, but she had been in that position for about ten minutes. The Irishman was now standing before her, looking unfairly striking in a pair of jeans that fit him like a second skin and a black dress shirt. A soft cap completed his appearance.
"Ready whenever you are." the assistant sighed as she rose to her feet and began to collect her things.
"Ah feel like goin' out and celebratin' my win." Sheamus announced with a smirk.
"Have fun." Ali murmured as she slipped her purse onto her shoulders.
"Oh Ah will." the Celtic Warrior assured her, "Because yer goin' wit' me. We're headin' out to the nearest club. Right now."
"Why do I have to go?" Ali objected.
"Because Ah said so, that's why." the WWE Champion stated triumphantly, "Ah need me assistant to fetch me drinks and basically cater to my every wish tonight."
"Fat chance." Ali snorted, "The only catering I'll be dealing with tonight is the hotel's room service."
"Are you forgettin' it's yer job to assist me?" Sheamus reminded her.
Ali closed her eyes and mentally counted to ten. She didn't want to go out. For one thing it was snowing and raining out there. For another, she wasn't into the whole club scene. She just wanted to go back to her room and curl up with her laptop or notebook.
She looked down at her clothes: black boots, dark jeans, off-the-shoulder, silky, lavender top and silver hoop earrings. Nice, yes, but not dressy enough for clubbing.
"I. . .I'm not dressed appropriately." she tried another tactic.
His eyes raked over her body and the assistant instantly felt her cheeks begin to warm at the scrutiny of his gaze. She ducked her head, crossing her arms.
He wanted to tell her she looked beautiful. More beautiful in jeans than most women looked in their fanciest dresses. But he held his tongue. It wouldn't get him anywhere with her, anyway.
"Ya look all right to me." he stated, his mind made up, "Yer goin'. That's not a request."
"Nothing you say is ever a request." Ali couldn't help but mutter.
"Bang on." Sheamus grinned at her before turning and heading off.
The young woman sighed, falling into step beside him.
It didn't take long for them to reach the club. As they entered a few people called out to Sheamus, telling him 'Hey!' or 'Kick Cena's ass!' or even a 'You suck!' . The Irishman laughed those off, knowing they were all talk.
The pair took a seat in a back booth, each removing their coats. As Ali got resituated she looked out over the club.
It was somewhat dark and filled with a good amount of people, surprising considering the weather taking place outside.
There were groups milled around tables, laugh and talking at the bar, and dancing out on the dance floor.
"So what do you want to drink?" she questioned, turning her attention the wrestler.
"Guinness." he said without hesitation, handing her some money, "And get a ginger ale for yerself."
"Coming right up." Ali took the money and slid out of the booth, walking across the club and over to the bar.
The Celtic Warrior couldn't help but watch her, eyes locked in on her hips and behind as they swayed slightly. He looked around and felt a growl rise up in his throat, noticing that he wasn't the only one. Various other men were checking her out, as well.
To his surprise, though, Ali seemed oblivious. The lass was looking straight ahead, a woman on a mission.
He found himself snickering at that. For someone who seemed to rarely miss a trick, she could block out the world easily. He chalked it up to her being a writer. Her head was so full of thoughts and stories that she could miss the simplest things.
Ali walked over to the bar, ordering their drinks. As she waited she felt a hand on her arm.
The assistant sighed. She didn't want to be bothered. All she wanted to do was go back to the booth and hide out until it was time to leave.
As she turned, though, she began to smile.
"Morrison!" she cried out happily, reaching up for a hug, "Hi!"
"Hey, beautiful." John beamed as he picked her up and embraced her.
He gave her a squeeze before setting her down, the pair smiling at each other.
"So what are you doing here?" he asked with a chuckle, "Clubs aren't really your scene."
"Sheamus wanted to celebrate." Ali sighed.
"Yeah, that win over Zack Ryder was something, huh?" Morrison smirked, "I mean, what a hard fought, drawn out battle. I can understand the need for him to celebrate that."
"Well you know Sheamus." Ali giggled up at him.
The bartender slid her drinks across the bar to her and she promptly paid before picking them up.
"I guess I better go get these back to our WWE Champion." she stated, turning to head out, "But it was good to see you."
"Wait." Morrison reached out, placing a hand on her arm, "Ali, hang on a second. We hardly get to talk to each other anymore since you became that barbarian's prisoner."
She started to tell him that she wasn't Sheamus' prisoner, but she stopped herself. The truth was, that comment wasn't too far off the mark.
"I've missed talking to you, too." she told him with a grin, "I miss talking to everyone. You. John. Eve. I feel like I've lost touch with you all-"
"Ah thought you got lost."
The pair turned to see Sheamus standing behind them. Though there was a grin on his lips it didn't reach his eyes. And right now those blue depths were locked in on Morrison in a silent challenge.
"And here Ah thought you didn' like clubs." the Irishman stated, his gaze swinging back to Ali.
He couldn't believe it when he had seen her talking and laughing with Morrison. Of all the people for her to run into, it had to be that fella.
"Maybe it's just the company she didn't like." Morrison interjected evenly.
"Yer lucky, fella." Sheamus smirked, "You see tonight Ahlina and Ah are celebratin'. This is suppose to be a night for us to go out and have fun."
"Then you won't have any problems with her dancing with me." John stated and, before Sheamus could protest, he took the drinks from Ali's hands and placed them in the WWE Champion's.
He then took the assistant by the hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Ali looked over her shoulder, bottom lip between her teeth. Sheamus was watching after them, practically seething. She quickly turned back around, watching as Morrison started to dance to a fast song.
"You shouldn't have done that." she stated.
"Don't worry about it." he took her hand in a bid to get her dancing, "Hey, just think of this as taking a much needed break."
He gave her a goofy look and she found herself smiling. Slowly she began to dance with him and after a few seconds she got into the song, moving faster in step with him.
Sheamus watched the pair and it was all he could do not to shatter the glasses in his hands. He stared at Ali as she smiled up at Morrison, dancing with him. Watched as she moved to the beat. Her movements were smooth and natural, her hips swaying in perfect time with the music.
His narrowed gaze traveled to the other man. John was moving effortlessly around the floor, as though he was born to dance.
Just looking at him made the Irishman feel inadequate. He didn't dance as a rule. Whenever he had tried in the past he had always looked like a proper eejit. It was embarrassing, really.
Morrison's hands slipped to Ali's waist and he pulled her closer, their hips pressed against one another's. Ali looked a little surprised by the bold move, appearing a little unsure.
That was enough for Sheamus. He all but slammed the drinks onto the bar and stalked across the dance floor towards them.
The song ended and Ali eased away. As she stepped back she bumped against something very hard and she instantly turned around, an apology on her lips.
She swallowed as she discovered it was Sheamus. He wasn't paying any attention to her, though, his focus on Morrison.
"My turn." the redheaded man announced, his hand coming to possessively rest high on her side.
"I think that's up to Ali, don't you?" John asked him pointedly.
Ali looked back and forth between the pair nervously. As she turned back to Sheamus she found him staring down at her, his gaze burning with intensity. It was almost like he was challenging her.
At that moment a haunting tune began to play out over the club, the piano and stings slow and seductive in their sound.
'If we want it to be then it will be. And I know you want it like I want it." the male singer's sultry, velvety voice played out over the club, "What are we doing here? And why's the road so unclear. All that we needed, we needed from us. Is that not enough?"
Ali found herself turning to face him, almost unconsciously. Their gazes locked as he pulled her closer, his other hand taking hold of hers and holding it tightly against his chest. Ali continued to stare up at him, almost transfixed, as her other hand slip up his arm to rest on his bicep. They began to slowly move together, in perfect sync.
"If you hear my words in the wind then you know I'm coming back again. Nothings gonna keep me from you." the singer breathed, "If you feel the beat of my heart stronger every day, every where you are. Love has got me fighting for you. And love is undefeated."
Sheamus saw Morrison storm off but he paid him no heed. All of his attention was solely on the young woman in his arms. He stepped closer to her, body flush with hers as he continued to sway with her. He wasn't much for dancing, but then what they were doing out on the floor wasn't considered dancing to him. It was something else entirely. Something primal.
"If we throw this away what will we say? That we were just scared, too scared. And if you go it alone how am I ever gonna make it back home? All that I needed, I needed from us. Is that enough?"
Ali could feel the heat of his body burning through his clothes, burning through her clothes, and touching her skin. It made her shiver with some unknown emotion that both frightened and intrigued her. His body, so rock hard, was calling to her. She wanted to feel him closer.
"If you hear my words in the wind then you know I'm coming back again. Nothing's gonna keep me from you. If you feel the beat of my heart stronger every day, everywhere you are. Love has got me fighting for you. And love is undefeated."
Closer. He wanted her closer. Because of their height difference he couldn't wrap his arms around her like he wanted to.
Without giving any indication, he suddenly hoisted her up, her body now pressed against the front of him as his arms locked around her tiny waist.
He heard her gasp but she didn't pull away and he took that as encouragement. Especially when her arms came around his neck, their faces mere inches apart. They were no longer dancing, he was simply holding her close to him now.
"I don't wanna walk away. I don't wanna let you go. I just wanna stay with you and love you more and more. Love you more and more. I love you baby! I love you baby!"
Ali stared deeply into his eyes. They were unmistakably filled with lust. It was evident, even in her limited, naïve experience. And his body. . .It was like a wall of solid muscle. Never more clear than now, with her pressed up against him.
He was so strong. She could feel it running through his arms as he held her tightly against him. Feel it in his chest from where it was pressed against her own.
She was struck, again, by just how handsome he was. She knew he was. Had thought so for quite a while now. But being this close to his features, being able to take them all in. . .He truly was beautiful in a very masculine, very rugged way.
Fear began to well up inside of her, causing her to tremble. It was all too much for her. No man had never looked at her like he was looking at her now. Never held her like this before.
And the fact that it was Sheamus, a man who was capable of such brutality, who could be filled with such rage. . .
She wasn't afraid of him physically. He would never hurt her. That was probably the only thing she was completely certain of when it came to this man.
But emotionally. . .that was a completely different story.
It wasn't just her fear of him, though. She was afraid of herself. He had her thinking things she had never thought before. She was having feelings she had never felt before. Feelings that were frightening in their intensity.
Overwhelmed, she began to struggle in his embrace, needing to put as much distance between herself and him as possible.
Sheamus pulled back slightly but didn't release her. He gaze down at her, eyes narrowed in confusion. Why was she suddenly pulling away from him now? He thought she wanted this as much as he did.
It was because of who he was. A beast, her own word for him. She wouldn't be trying to get away if she was in Morrison's arms right now, he was sure of it.
He let her go and Ali slid down his body. The friction of her moving down the front of him, namely the front of a certain part of his anatomy, caused him to grit his teeth, air hissing out from between them.
Once Ali was back on solid ground she turned and barreled through the club towards the ladies' room. She needed to get away. Away from his hard body and those intense blue eyes.
She surged into the restroom and over to the nearby sink, hands braced on it and head bowed. She couldn't stop trembling from fear and. . .
Lust, she realized as she looked at her reflection in alarm. The first time in her life that she had been hit by that powerful emotion and it had been for the man who was the very definition of the word 'wrong'. At least for her.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. What was wrong with her?! No man had ever made her feel such an intense feeling of desire and it had to be towards him?
She gazed at her reflection, lost and afraid. What was she going to do? If he knew how she felt he'd use those feelings against her. She was sure of it.
All of her life she had done whatever she could to protect her heart and now it had betrayed her, yearning for the one man who would probably take it and stomp it into the dirt.
She smirked at her reflection. She may have been a hopeless romantic, but she was also a realist. And Sheamus was not the kind of man one could expect to have a lasting relationship with. He was too angry, too distrustful.
She blinked in surprise. Lasting relationship? Jeez, she was moving too fast even for herself.
She sighed and ran a shaky hand through her hair. So what did she do now? Go back out there and act like everything was just fine and dandy?
Yeah, I know I ran off like an idiot. Sorry about that, she thought to herself, Why? Um, I had to pee. Yep, that was it. Damn bladder. Good one, Ali, he'd believe that. If he was a moron.
Well she couldn't stay in there all night. Might as well go out and face the music and get it over with.
She mentally built up her courage and exited the restroom. She made her way through the club, approaching their booth. The closer she got the more her frown grew. He was slumped in the seat, eyes narrowed and mouth a slash.
She felt badly at that moment. How could she just run away like that?: What a coward! God, there was no telling what he must have thought.
"Sheamus-" she began as she reached him.
He surged out of the booth, yanking his coat after him. Ali had to duck or else it would have smacked her in the face.
"We're leavin'." he announced as he shrugged into it and started to head off.
"Sheamus, wait." Ali grabbed her coat and hurried after him, "I need to explain-"
"Ah don' care what yer excuse is." he practically snarled as he whipped around to face her, eyes flashing like fire, "Ah know Ah'm not yer bleedin' Morrison."
"John?" Ali was confused, "No, Sheamus, I'm not interested in Morrison. I-"
"Right now Ah don' give a shite what yer interested in." he gave her his back and continued on, "Come on."
The assistant blinked, put off by his tightly leashed rage. She found she had no choice but to put on her coat and follow after.
The ride back to the hotel was tense to say the least. She kept peeking over at him, taking in his tight features and cold blue eyes. He didn't say a word to her as he exited the car and made his way into the lobby. As she entered the elevator she slipped to one side, making sure to give him a wide berth.
As the Irishman stared up at the flashing numbers a myriad of emotions surged within him like a hurricane.
He hated John Morrison. Hated how everything could come so easy for him while he, hisself, had to struggle.
At that moment a part of him also actually hated the woman standing next to him. Hated her because while he had all but wanted to ravage her out on that dance floor, she had ran away from him like a frightened child. She affected him like no other and she would never feel the same way. Damn her!
And damn him. Damn him for even thinking. . .
The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened, the Irishman rushing out onto the floor. It didn't mater what he thought. Or felt. He had finally learned his lesson. She was out of his league. He had always known it and now he was starting to believe it.
Ali walked behind him as he entered the hotel room. All she wanted to do was slip into her room and go to bed; forget this night had ever happened.
She was halfway there when he called to her, "Come'ere."
The assistant paused, everything in her going still. His voice had been low, but laced with tension. It was unnerving.
Yelling, she could handle. But that soft voice. . .it worried her.
She slowly turned to look at him but didn't move. She wasn't a fool and there was no way she was going anywhere near him while he was in that kind of a mood.
"Yes?" she asked, fighting to keep her voice steady.
He regarded her coldly, brows low, "There's a shop down the street. Go there and get me a couple of bottles of Guinness."
"Now?" Ali was surprised.
"Right now." the Irishman muttered as he stalked over to the couch and slumped onto it.
"But, Sheamus, it's snowing and raining out." the assistant began to protest, "Can't I do it tomorrow?"
"Now." he growled the word.
"You're unbelievable." Ali snapped as she buttoned up her coat and snatched up her purse, "Having me go out in this weather all for two bottles of Guinness."
"And enough of yer cheek." the wrestler warned.
Practically growling herself, Ali stormed out of the suite and over to the elevator. She couldn't believe the nerve of that man. Punishment. That was all this was. Punishment for his stupid, bruised ego.
And she hadn't even meant to hurt him. If he would quit being so stubborn and let her explain. . .
She walked into the elevator and slammed her finger against the button. She was still fuming as she reached the ground floor and surged out into the lobby.
The closer she drew to the front doors the more her frown grew. Rain and snow blew from all directions. It wasn't a blizzard but was awfully close.
She contemplated turning around and going back, telling him it could wait until morning, but she instantly thought better of it. She didn't want to deal with him right now.
She felt a whine bubble up from the back of her throat as she opened the doors and went barreling outside into the cold.
Oh my God! she thought as she ducked her head and headed off in the direction of the store, Could it be any colder!
She made it to the store within ten minutes. But with the hectic weather it had felt like hours. She purchases the two bottles and reluctantly went back out into the thick of it.
When she entered the lobby she was shivering and soaking wet. She got funny looks from the staff and patrons but she paid them no heed as she made her way back over to the elevator.
As the doors slid closed she got a look at herself and cringed. Her hair was soaked, swept back over her head. Her mascara was smudged, trailing down her cheeks and her face red from the wind and cold. She looked horrible.
She trudged back into the hotel room, finding him still in that same spot on the couch. He was watching television and didn't even bother to acknowledge her presence.
Seething, Ali all but slammed the bag of alcohol onto the coffee table before turning and storming off to her room. She slammed the door behind her and quickly got out of her clothes. Not an easy feat with the way her hands shook.
She began to tremble violently as soon as she was undressed. She hurried into the bathroom and grabbed a towel, scrubbing it over her skin in a bid to get some of the cold out. She thoroughly dried her hair before tossing the towel onto the counter and returned to her room.
Slipping into a pair of her fluffiest, warmest lounge pants and a hoodie, she climbed into bed, holding her stuffed panda, Murray, close.
She burrowed under the blankets and continued to shiver until sleep finally claimed her.
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The Irishman emerged from his bedroom early the next morning, dressed for his workout. As soon as he stepped outside his eyes landed on the plastic bag, the two bottles of Guinness still inside.
He had stared at both them and his assistant's closed bedroom door for a good twenty minutes before letting out a sigh and going to bed.
He was still angry, but now that anger was geared more towards hisself. He had acted like an arse the night before, he knew that. And while he still mad at Alina, he also felt a bit guilty, too. He never should have made her go out into that storm just because he was feeling hurt.
He paused, looking around. And where was she, anyway? The lass was usually up before him, usually sitting at the dining table either working on her laptop or writing in that notebook of hers.
Sheamus wandered over to the closed bedroom door, knocking on it.
"Ahlina?" he called out, voice a bit gruff, "You in there, lass?"
Silence.
Brows knit, he knocked again. And again silence greeted him.
He opened the door and peered inside. He saw a small lump buried under the blankets and he paused, contemplating what to do.
Knowing he had to wake her, and hating that he did, he wandered around to the side of the bed and peered down at her.
He was surprised by what he found. The head of a stuffed panda greeted him. The sight actually made him smile slightly. So little Alina still slept with a stuffed animal. The idea both charmed him and made him snicker.
He bit the smile back, wanting to still stay mad at her.
"Oi!" he said loudly as he kicked at the side of the bed, "Wake up, Ahlina!"
The mound let out a groan, shifting slightly. Soon the head of his assistant peeked out from under the blankets. At the sight of her Sheamus paused, worry beginning to well up inside of him. Her hair was disheveled. Her face was pale and drawn, dark circles under her eyes. She didn't look well. Not at all.
"Coming." Ali groaned, coughing as she sat up.
"Ah. . ." he wasn't sure what to say. A part of him wanted to tell her to go back to bed. She really didn't look good.
"I said I'm coming." the assistant snapped.
God, she felt horrible! But there was no way she was going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. No way in hell.
"We've got fifteen minutes." he muttered instead before turning and leaving the room.
As he slipped back out into the front room he cursed himself. Why was he still acting like an arse?
Ali emerged from the bedroom fifteen minutes later on the dot. Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy bun on top of her head. She was wearing a minimal amount of makeup with her hoodie and jeans.
While Sheamus worked out she had spent the time sitting in a corner. During breakfast she had managed to choke down a piece of toast with some difficulty. While he had done media she had spent the time, again, in a corner. Surprisingly he hadn't had her run around and do errands for him.
He could tell she was unwell even though she continued to soldier on and act as though everything was fine. It made him angry. It was clear she was sick. Why didn't she just admit it.
Also, and he hated to confessed it to himself, he had a grudging respect for her. She was a tough one, that lass.
By that night they were at a house show, in his locker room. He was getting ready for a match while Ali sat in a corner - as she had been doing the entire day.
The Irishman rose to his feet and walked over to his bag, rooting through.
"Shite." he muttered as he leaned back, scrubbing a hand over his face.
"What?" Ali asked, blinking. Was it just her imagination or did the room suddenly get darker.
"Ah forgot me wrist tape." he stated as he turned and began to make his way out of the room, "Ah'll be right back."
He wasn't entirely sure why he was letting her know. There was just something inside of him that told him he should.
"I'll get it." Ali sighed, rising to her feet, "That's my job, after all."
She blinked again. Yeah, the room was definitely getting darker. . .
"Don' worry about it, Ah'll get it.." Sheamus called out in irritation, eyes narrowing.
The world began to spin, darkness coming in from the edges of her vision. Ali closed her eyes, hoping the dizziness would stop. But all that seemed to do was make it worse.
"I said I got it. . ." she murmured, her voice sounding faraway to her ears.
She tried to open her eyes but suddenly she didn't have the strength. She didn't seem to have any strength in her limbs, either. The next thing she knew blackness enveloped her and she started to crash towards the ground.
Sheamus saw her sway and he took off towards her, catching her as she started to pitch to the floor.
"Ahlina!" he cried out in alarm, picking her up in his arms and holding her close to his chest, "Ahlina, can you hear me, lass? Ahlina!"
He looked down at her with wide eyes, frightened for the pale, unmoving young woman.
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The song is Undefeated by Michael Kisur. You can find a link for it on my profile. It's an amazing song and I sincerely hope you check it out. :)