Chapter 11

Mark waited patiently for their flight to be called, glancing at Glen and Kelli who were off in a world of their own, sort of. He then looked down at Taylor, arching an eyebrow. "Everythin' alright, darlin'? He asked softly, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder

"I can't do this…" Taylor stated and stood up, shaking her head, wearing a pair of hip hugger blue jeans with a black tank top since it was ninety degrees outside. She tore a hand through her hair, swallowing hard, and started heading for the exit doors. "There's no way I can do this…"

"Whoa!" Mark reached out and gently but firmly caught her by the forearm. "Can't do what? Taylor, yer already here, almost ready to board a plane. It's a bit late to be thinkin' bout callin' this off now ain't it?" He stared down into her violet eyes, combing his fingers gently through her hair.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared back into his green ones, shaking her head frantically, and tried yanking her arm out of his grip. "No, let me go now, Mark. I can't do this. I'm not ready for this. Let me go NOW." She was panicking now.

Mark didn't care that they were in a public place. He picked Taylor up anyway and wrapped her legs firmly around his waist, his hands on her back to support her. "Stop it right now, Taylor." He ordered softly. "You CAN do this. I'm here with you and so is Glen and Kelli." He pressed his head against hers. "You can do this darlin', you won't be alone." He promised, meaning what he said.

"Mark please…" She whispered, her breathing sporadic, and pressed her forehead against his, shaking her head back and forth repeatedly. "Please just let me go home." She pleaded and cringed when their flight was called. Now she was really freaked out. "No I can't do this! Let me go!" She shouted, beginning to twist and torque her body, trying to get out of his iron grip.

Mark wasn't having it though. Taylor was going even if he had to knock her little ass out and stuff her in his on flight bag. He sighed, watching as Glen picked up their bags and nodded gratefully, firmly holding Taylor against him as she struggled to get free. "Darlin', please don't make me smack that ass." He said, his eyes lighting up when she paused to glare at him, and followed the couple towards the terminal. "That's what I thought."

"Why are you making me do this?" She whispered harshly against him, beginning to tremble in his arms as he carried her though the terminal, and boarded the plane. She looked around, biting her bottom lip, tears shining in her violet eyes. What the Hell had she been thinking agreeing to go back so soon after what Ken did to her?! She was out of her mind!

"Because I care about you and want you around me." He simply replied. Mark winked down at the flight attendant who was gawking at them. "She's a bit scared of planes." He informed her with a slight smile, glad first class was roomy or else this would have been damn near impossible. "Now, you can either sit on the seat or in my lap, darlin'. Pick one."

Taylor sighed heavily as she bit her bottom lip, pointing to the chair beside Mark. As soon as he released her, Taylor bolted toward the doors and stopped when they closed, causing her to shake her head as she began pounding on it. "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" She screamed and began thrashing around when Mark grabbed her from behind, not believing what he was doing to her. He was forcing her to go back too soon! If she saw Ken this soon, she would probably die of heartbreak!

Mark knew what was going through her head. Everyone who knew Taylor could see the thoughts swirling around in there. Sighing, he pulled her down onto his lap, sitting on the seat and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against him and rested his head on top of hers. "I'll be with you through it all, Taylor." He promised in a whisper.

Taylor started crying, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and sniffled a little, knowing she had no choice but to go now. She slowly looked up at the stewardess and graciously accepted the tissue the woman handed her. "Can I have a glass of wine please?" She asked softly, needing something to take the edge off before she ended up going sky diving.

Mark shared a look with Kelli before leaning back, pulling Taylor with him. "Darlin'…" He began then stopped. What could he tell her? He'd protect her? From what? Heartbreak? He couldn't protect her from that. No one could. "Look, it's not going to be easy, but you're not going to do this alone." He said finally.

Taylor knew he was right, but that didn't make this any easier. She took the glass of wine and downed it, needing something much stronger. She ordered a shot of Jack Daniels. Leaning her head against his shoulder, Taylor closed her eyes as the plane finally leveled in the air. 'God what the Hell am I doing?' She thought miserably, biting her bottom lip softly.

Mark frowned when he seen the Jack Daniels coming and intercepted it, nodding at the server. "Darlin', yer not plannin' on getting' loaded now are ya?" He asked softly, holding the glass away from her.

"It's better than feeling scared and irritable." She argued back, taking the glass, and downed the liquid before setting it down. She then slid from his lap and sat in her own seat, staring out the window. Tears poured down her cheeks silently, wishing he'd understand how hard this was for her. She was about to come face to face with her torn apart, should've been future with the man she was supposed to marry. The man she still loved and hated all at once.

Mark sighed again, thinking he could use a drink himself, and motioned for a refill of the Jack Daniels, taking it before Taylor could and downed it. He was mildly confused by the woman himself. One minute it seemed she was beginning to move on, with him, and then everything went back to Ken the next. He could smack himself. He knew better. He knew he was probably rushing things. Rushing her and that was the last thing he wanted.

The plane ride was made in sheer silence and Taylor ended up falling asleep after crying for a good long while. She was curled up in the seat, her hair shielding her tear streaked face, but she didn't care. She groaned when someone began shaking her and pushed them away. "Five more minutes…" She grumbled, curling up more, wanting to sleep. She hated flying. Jetlag was always a bitch to her.

"Sorry darlin', but you don't have five more minutes." Mark drawled in her ear, chuckling softly when she jerked away. "I don't bite, Tay. Nibble maybe, but not bite." He extended his hand to her.

"I know." She grumbled her voice gruff with sleep, and yawned loudly as she tried getting her vision to clear from the blurriness. "Where are we?" She softly asked, not feeling the plane moving anymore, and snapped her eyes open fully when it clicked in her head. "We're here aren't we." It wasn't a question.

Mark just nodded, pulling her to her feet. "Yeah, we're here." He said softly, tugging her forward when she went to step back. "Taylor, it's a little late. This is a one way flight, darlin'." He sighed, catching the bag Glen tossed him, and shouldered it. "Kelli is here. Glen's here. I'm here…John and Randy, Steve, everyone is here for you."

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Taylor leaned against Kelli when her arm wrapped around her shoulders, feeling the comfort she needed. She wasn't sure what she felt for Mark at the moment. She knew she liked him…more than she was willing to admit…She shook herself, needing to get focused on what was coming. "Where are we going first?" She softly asked her best friend, sniffling a little as the tears burned her eyes.

"The arena, sweetie." Kelli softly replied, shooting a worried look back at Glen and Mark, hoping Taylor didn't have to see that bastard who broke her heart right away. "The terror twins are waiting to terrorize you." She grinned, trying to get Taylor's spirits up a bit.

"Terrorize might not be strong enough of a word." Glen snorted, walking beside Mark, shaking his head at the exasperated look on Mark's face. "I heard they super glued a tiny dart board to the back of Steve's head."

Mark had to chuckle at that. "I'm surprise they didn't paint it on there." He replied with a smirk.

"Not enough time."

"Good god…they're at it again." Taylor groaned, knowing she was in deep shit when the twins got their hands on her. Though she would do much worse to them if they even ATTEMPTED to pull a prank on her. "I guess this is it…" She whispered as they walked out of the airport, Mark grabbing their bags, and headed out into the sunny day in Los Angeles, California. "How about we go to your boutique and let the guys go to the arena?" She suggested and groaned when Kelli just shook her head in response.

"Kelli's gotta stay with me and protect me." Glen explained with a chuckle. "They're in mortal fear of her. She tries making them wear dresses."

Mark started snickering. "I remember that…though…" His eyes darkened suddenly. "They did the unthinkable."

Glen scowled. "It's not RIGHT…" He trailed off, growling from low in the back of his throat.

"Kickin' a man in the balls…"

"Damn pansies…"

Taylor couldn't help it. She burst out in full fledged laughter along with Kelli, leaning against her for leverage. Kelli had told her exactly what the terror twins did and she had to admit that was totally their style. "You have my permission to hurt them if they do it to you, Mark." She stated, laughing when Glen scowled more.

Mark arched an eyebrow. "They ever kick me in the balls and I'm gonna kill'em." He threatened, meaning what he said.

"Well I would HAVE if I had been able to BREATHE." Glen growled, not liking the reminder and winced, holding his bag over his front as if to protect himself.

"Hell…" Mark grunted, shaking his head.

The entire ride to the arena was made with Kelli and Taylor sitting in the back laughing their asses off. They were talking about what the terror twins used to do to the boys and girls in the back. They once cut a hole right through the crotch and asshole of Michael Cole's pants and put a drawing of a penis sticking out the back of his pants. It was hilarious and Taylor still laughing every time she envisioned it. This was her defense so she didn't have another freak out about running into Ken.

"Oh dear god…" Glen moaned when they pulled into the underground parking lot. Standing on top of a truck was John and Randy, holding a huge banner that said SEXY WOMEN PARK HERE, both without shirts. With what looked like posters of Taylor and Kelli taped to their bare chests. "I'M GOING TO KILL THEM!"

"Oh…My…God…" Taylor stuttered out, raking a hand through her hair, and had turned four shades of red. She could not believe the terror twins made that sign as she hopped out of the truck Mark had rented. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" She shrieked and immediately started kicking and hitting the terror twins. "YOU ASSHOLES!"

"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU?" Kelli shrieked along with her best friend, having Randy in a mean headlock Glen had taught her.

"Whoa, whoa!" John shrieked, catching Taylor by the hands, and keeping her at arm's length. "It was a WELOME BACK thing!"

Glen took over the headlock. "DON'T YOU EVER PUT MY FIANCEE'S FACE ON YOURSELF AGAIN, JACKASS!" He roared, squeezing his head, ready to pop it like a tick.

Mark just shook his head, walking over to rip the poster off John's chest.

"OUCH!"

"Good, I hope that hurt, you jackass!" She shouted at him, not believing the audacity, and kicked John square in the balls the same time Kelli did to Randy for added effect. "Maybe THAT'LL teach you some damn respect!"

"Yeah, I'm getting married, you asshole!" Kelli shouted, pure anger flashing in her gray eyes, wanting to rip Randy apart as she kicked him in the balls a second time. "That was for my fiancé!" She spat before jumping into Glen's arms.

Glen caught her, grinning from ear to ear. "That's my baby." He said proudly, kissing her soundly.

John had his forehead on the pavement, hands on the jewels, writhing and groaning in pain.

"Serves ya right, you dipshit." Mark snorted, pressing his boot down on the back of John's neck, looking at Taylor. "You ever kick me in the nuts, I'm kicking back." He teased, his eyes twinkling.

"You can do it, but don't expect it to hurt as much." She retorted with a smirk of her own, staring down at John, and shook her head. A squeal came from her mouth a second later as she was lifted up and spun around in circles.

Randy was too busy favoring his balls to speak.

Steve started laughing, finally pulling her down into a bear hug. "Damn girl, it's good to see you!" He buried his face in her hair.

Glen smirked at the look that crossed Mark's face, then stepped back with Kelli still in his arms, stepping on Randy's hands. "Mark, issues there?" He called out.

"Huh?" Mark blinked, slowly coming out of his daze.

"My balls…" John groaned out, not caring about anything else at the moment.

"Steve!" Taylor squealed in surprise, hugging him back, and laughed when he began inhaling the scent of her hair. The man had a fetish with her hair and she didn't know why. She didn't notice the jealousy flare in Mark's eyes as she pulled back, cupping Steve's face with her hands. "How are you, sweetie?" She asked, having been great friends with Steve since he was Ken's idol.

"I second that…" Randy groaned out, still rolling around on the ground, shaking his hands now since Glen stepped on his fingers. "Damn…"

"Mark, you okay sweets?" Kelli asked, seeing the man was out of it, and raised an eyebrow when he just kept his green eyes glued on Steve and Taylor.

"He's having a 'man' moment." Glen whispered loudly, doing the finger quote gesture, shaking his head when Mark didn't even seem to notice. "I swear to god…the man ain't been right in the head since he…" He shut up when he heard John and Randy getting to their feet. "DID WE SAY YOU COULD STAND?"

John dropped alongside Randy instantly.

"I'm great honey." Steve replied, chuckling at the terror twins and set Taylor down, but didn't let go of her. "How bout you? How're YOU doing?"

Shrugging, Taylor raked a hand through her hair and bit her bottom lip. "I'm doing okay. Mark," She gestured toward him with a pause. "Has really helped me out these past months…" She sighed again as he hugged her, patting his back gently. "Steve, I'm okay honey, really. I didn't mean to worry you. Why didn't you come see me if you were this worried?" She asked softly, not expecting the man to be this emotional over seeing her. It broke her heart.

"I think you may be right and STAY DOWN!" Kelli barked, planting her foot in Randy's back when he went to get up. "Unless you want me to kick you in the balls again?" She asked in a deceptively sweet tone.

Randy used his smarts and stayed down.