TWO WEEKS LATER

Josephine was coming back tonight. Cara was sitting in the stage office while she flipped through a magazine. Everything was quiet. Shannon was prepping for a match later on so she was not being entertained by him. James, the main manager walked in and offered her a set of papers.

"Frost, do me a favor and drop these off. Jo's still not called in or showed up." Cara nodded and grabbed the papers. She followed him out of the door towards the women's locker room. She knocked on the door and handed the papers to the first Diva who opened the door. It happened to be Lisa Marie, known to many as Victoria.

"You know, sweetie, you would look so much cuter if you straightened your hair and left just a little curl on the end." She noted. Cara shook her head.

"No thanks. I don't have time for it." She replied and walked away. Cara felt nervous as she passed the men's locker room. Jamie Noble and Alvin stood outside and she shivered as she walked past them. She was only wearing a tank top so she was more exposed than she was used to.

"Hey, pretty lady." Jamie sneered. Cara hurried up but her arm was grabbed. "Don't ignore me, bitch!" he sneered again. She screamed and slapped him. Her arm was momentarily free but he snatched for her again; he gripped the strap of her shirt and it tore. The tear was almost complete, exposing half her bra and her stomach.

"Don't touch me!" she screamed and her nails raked his face. "Get off me!"

"I don't think so, sweetie." Jamie slapped her face and she fell to the floor.

"Back off Noble," A voice growled. Cara glanced behind her to see Dave Bautista standing with his arms crossed. She edged closer to Dave as Jamie backed away. Jamie glared at her before he dashed away down the hall. "Up you get, angel," he smiled down on her and offered a hand. She gently took his hand and he was gentle in pulling her up. He quickly took her into his arms. Dave was like the protector of every woman backstage, the assistants especially. He hugged her and Cara cried in his arms. He ran his fingers along her arm. He never harmed any woman backstage and he always took especial care of Cara.

"CARA!" Shannon yelled, running down the hall. She turned partially before she broke out of Dave's arms and into Shannon's. "Who did this? Tell me Dave." He demanded.

"Noble. He did it alone, just so you know." Dave shrugged nonchalant. Many of the men in the backstage area took exception when one of the other men attacked an assistant or any female in the company. If Shannon didn't do it, he would along with anyone who happened to hear about it.

"I'll take care of it. Thanks, man." He nodded to Dave before taking Cara to the stage office. He stopped briefly at the locker room he and Jimmy shared. Jimmy tossed him one of his shirts before he took Cara all the way to the stage office. They were alone and he set Cara on the bathroom counter. A red handprint was darkening across her cheek and bruises would probably appear on her arms from where she fell. There were no tears but she was shaking slightly. "It's ok, Care Bear. I'll take care of that pig." He kissed her cheek. "Here's a shirt. Jo is going to be pissed when she hears about this." He laid the shirt on the counter near her. He lifted her chin and softly kissed her lips. They had been unofficially dating for two weeks and he had never let her be alone. Cara stayed with him now, sleeping beside him. She had not had a single nightmare since they kissed. He probed her small lips and when she opened to him, he lovingly explored her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and pressed him to her. His hands lightly pulled off the remains of her shirt, tossing them aside. He cracked open his eyes to see she was wearing a lacy blue bra. He groaned and he kissed her more firmly. Her fingers ran through his hair.

Josephine walked into the stage office with a soft smile. Two weeks on vacation and she had really missed the stage office. She still had to see what Cara had done for the past two weeks. She walked into the bathroom, hearing a strange noise and was surprised by the sight that greeted her. Cara and Shannon were kissing. Shannon wasn't wearing a shirt and Cara was only in a bra. She saw the remains of a shirt tossed in the corner of the room. She was surprised that Cara was responding to his kiss.

"I see things have changed around here," she grinned, leaning against the door frame. Cara jumped away and covered her chest. Shannon flushed lightly. Cara carefully reached for the shirt on the counter and covered her exposed body. She flushed brightly as Shannon stepped forward to block the view of an almost topless Cara. "Mister, get your butt out of here. You're match is in five minutes." Jo nodded her head out the door. Shannon blushed and hurried out. Jo was the boss and it was unwise to disobey her. Cara wrapped the shirt around her shoulders and stared at the tile floor. "Little lady, explain now."

"Where do you want me to start?" she replied.

"Start with Shannon kissing you; and you kissing him back," Jo demanded.

"He took me out the morning after we had dinner and we went surfing. He just kissed me." Cara didn't look up from the tile floor.

"And you ending up in a bra in the stage office bathroom with him shirtless resulted from this how?" Jo stepped into the room.

"I was delivering stuff to the Diva's locker room. I had to walk past the men's locker room and Jamie Noble was mad that he got suspended the last time he tried something. He tore my shirt and threw me down." Cara was quiet.

"HE DID WHAT?!" Jo screamed. "Who stopped him? Shannon?" she demanded rapidly.

"It was Dave and then Shannon came." Cara admitted. Jo took a deep breath.

"Thank whatever all the gods that are for David Michael Bautista." She sighed and wrapped her arms around Cara. "It's ok sweetie." Jo pulled back shortly when she noticed Cara was not crying or sniffling. "You aren't crying anymore and you're eyes are barely red." She pointed out. Cara shrugged. Tears seemed pointless around Shannon and they always brought his unflinching devotion to her. She didn't mind his devotion and he always made crying seem so pointless.

Josephine was surprised by how much Cara had changed in only two weeks. Two weeks ago, this young woman was still struggling with the concept that someone sought to help her and make her feel safe. Now, she was showing this man the ultimate affection and was so comfortable with him. She had been teary eyed before, crying when violence or harsh things happened to scare her and remind her. Now she just resigned herself to the fact that it happened.

"He just made crying seem so pointless unless I couldn't stop it." Cara shrugged and put her hands through the sleeves and tightened the shirt around her.

"Alright, sweetie; I'm arranging for punishment for him. I think I'll talk to the writer's about having him in a match with Oleg Prudius. That guy may be a little standoffish but he really takes offense when a woman is hurt." Josephine thought out loud. Cara stepped out of the bathroom and they walked out. "I think I will have the writer's make the match a wing match."

"Wing match?" Cara asked, sitting across from her.

"It's a match where the wrestlers, in essence, wing it. They fight using whatever they want and the ending is dependent on the wrestlers." Josephine explained as she wrote the message to the writers. "Oleg is a good man and he usually gets upset when women get hurt. I wouldn't be surprised that man has a worse temper towards woman assaulters than Dave does." Cara shrugged. She hadn't really spoken to Oleg, not like many did. "I'm going to do something a little naughty. I know I shouldn't but this will be your revenge." Josephine let a creeping smile cross her face.

"What are you planning?" she asked.

"You will deliver the message to Oleg about the match and I will leave a special message only he will get to tell him why this match is going on." She smirked. "When I send you with the message, stay for an answer." Josephine turned to her computer and quickly typed a message. When she printed it, it was in Cyrillic letters. "Give this to Oleg and it asks for a reply. Stay until he gives you one." Cara nodded and took the message. When she arrived at Oleg's locker room, he looked down on her with a curious look and when he finished his eyes were hard but caring. He nodded. Cara nodded in return and started to walk back.

"Tell Josephine that I plan on inflicting all she asked and more." Cara stopped and looked back at him. Oleg was caring but serious in his intent to take care of her. She nodded back and walked back. When she relayed his message, Josephine smiled. The smile was evil and almost cruel but it was justified. Shannon walked into the office later on and wrapped an arm around her waist. He was obviously nervous.

"Stop fidgeting, Shannon. I won't bloody hurt you. It might be better this way. And if you want revenge on Noble, you are taking backseat to Oleg right now. Believe it or not, that man has a serious problem with anyone who strikes a woman." Shannon let out a heavy breath. He ran his hand down Cara's arm and she smiled at him.

Cara placed a hand on Shannon's back, tracing his warm muscles. She didn't understand how, but Shannon always seemed to radiate warmth and comfort. He smiled and kissed her temple. Josephine laced her fingers together and smiled at the couple. Cara had barely stopped smiling since Shannon walked in the room and she had never felt more happiness in that girl's heart in almost two years. Shannon had brought out the life of Cara and was always making her smile.

"You two can get along. I'd rather not have the bosses come in and have you two making out in here." Josephine smiled and turned back to her work. Shannon grinned and picked up Cara, lightly tossing her over his shoulder. She laughed as he carried her out the door. After carrying her only a few feet into the hall, he set her down and lightly kissed her lips. His fingers ran through her hair and Cara giggled, nestling into his chest.

"Get a room, reject," Adam Copeland spat. Shannon glared at him but Cara's hand on his arm stopped him from replying.

"Ignore him. You're better than him." She told him, turning his face away from the bitter Canadian.

"I know. I don't have to fake a relationship to get a lovely woman. And I don't have to sleep with the writer's to keep getting title opportunities." He smirked.

"I thought all the writers were guys?" Cara asked. Shannon nodded. She paled and covered her mouth. "Gross. Though, he has to be with that haircut and that attitude." Shannon grinned.

"You're funny." He laughed. He kissed her lips again and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "My shirt looks good on you." He remarked, looking up and down over her torso. She blushed and her fingers ran through the ends of his hair. He smirked and kissed her cheek. She blushed again and wrapped her arms around his neck. Shannon grinned and set her on a crate. They smiled and he nuzzled her cheek. She blushed and moved closer into his arms. She always enjoyed his touch and his affection. He pressed his forehead to hers and looked into her deep eyes. He stared at her and lightly touched her soft waist. The show ended without their notice and it was only when Josephine lightly touched Shannon's arm did they notice anything but each other.

"You can go now. The show's over." Josephine laughed and Cara blushed when Shannon picked her up, carrying her with her legs around his waist. He carried her to the stage office, kicking the door shut behind him. He set her down and kissed her firmly. The softest of moans passed her lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Care Bear," he groaned. He slid his tongue over her lips; he was eager for more of her. As his tongue explored her mouth, he felt a rising tension in her body. He stopped and looked in her eyes. He stared at her; the nervousness showed in her eyes like a beacon. She was scared, but not of him. She was scared of what he was suggesting. He pushed back her loose bangs and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry. I was being too rough." He apologized, only holding her. She blushed, and rested her head on his shoulder. She could only be thankful that Shannon could read her so easily. He hugged her and backed away; Cara grabbed her bag and walked with him outside.

Cara stretched as she closed the door to his hotel room. She had told Josephine that she stopped staying in her own room and just started staying with Shannon. Josephine had been skeptical but let it slide when Cara told her that there were no more nightmares, dreams or memories haunting her days. Shannon dropped his bag in the corner and he grabbed Cara from behind. As long as she knew he was in the room with her, she didn't scream when he grabbed her. He spun her in a circle and kissed her shoulder blades. She smiled and a tiny whimper passed her lips when his tongue started to trace her spine. He set her on the bed, and his tongue continued to trace her body. Her fingers gripped the blankets and his hands started steady exploration.

"Cara," he groaned and pressed her down. He started to move all over her body, pressing her curves down. She shook, moaning.

It had started three days ago; he cornered her, kissing her ardently and moving all over her. He roamed her body, not with lust but with worship. He worshipped her body like he was paying tribute to the goddess in her. It was like it wasn't him, but at the same time it was. His mouth dragged over her neck and she felt his teeth along her skin. Shannon groaned again and he had her under his mercy. He pinned her down and his fingers caught the top of her jeans; her breath hitched but she didn't make him stop. Shannon stopped, staring into her eyes.

"Shannon," she breathed.

"Cara, I'm sorry." He pulled away. He sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. "God, what am I doing?" Cara sat up and gently touched his shoulder. He pulled away, pacing the room. "I don't know how you can look at me when I do this to you."

"Shannon," she called. She started to reach for him but he moved further away from her.

"Cara, how can you look at me when all I do is just abuse your body like it's my toy?" he didn't look at her. She shook her head and sighed.

"Shannon, stop it." She grabbed his arm and cupped his face. "I don't know why you think that. I've never felt safe among men; just one of the flaws of who I am. But I have never felt safer than when it's your hands on me and your mouth on mine." She smiled, kissing his mouth.

"But I keep taking advantage of that. I keep cornering you just because I can't taste you on my lips anymore." Shannon objected. She kissed him sweetly.

"And I'm too shy to go to you when I stop tasting you. Shannon, I'm not a china doll that's going to break at the slightest touch. I care for you a lot; I don't want you to be worrying about me all the time. If you think that you're using my body, then think of it as your fee for protecting me."

"Cara, that's not fair—" he started but she placed a small finger over his lips.

"Enough. If you are going too far, then I will let you know; don't worry about it until then." She told him. He sighed and smiled.

"Cara, you're a bloody saint," he pushed back a loose chocolate curl of hair and kissed her forehead. He kissed her lips next and he carried her back to the bed. Shannon traced her lips with his finger, absorbed in the minutest details about her. She flushed under his intense study; Shannon smirked, sliding his hand down her side. Cara moved into his arms; her fingers ran through his black and blonde hair, pushing it away from his mesmerizing eyes. "I don't know how you put up with me." She sighed and he instantly saw her become uncomfortable.

"Shannon," she started. "I need to tell you something. You wanted to know what happened to me and I think you have a right to know; especially with how we are now." She looked down and moved out from his arms. Her fingers wrung together in her lap and he sat behind her, rubbing her back.

"Just tell me. Nothing you can say will drive me away." He rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Shan, before I came to the WWE, I didn't exactly have the perfect life. I mean, there are things I went through that would make you cringe. I was abused by my own father. He was a drug addict and a drunk because my mother died when I was so young. He made me deliver his drugs and collect his money because I looked so innocent. And I could leave it at that but I would be lying to you about it. By the time I was seventeen, I had tried to commit suicide three times." Cara sighed heavily as the words left her lips. Shannon was surprised by how much she told him. He had expected a bit at a time but all of it at once was surprising. He rubbed her back and kissed her shoulder.

"Care Bear, it's ok. Nobody has the perfect life; and if you want a secret, I thought about suicide at one point." He admitted. That was the lesser known secret of his life; Jeff and Matt had stopped him and they didn't ever talk about it after that.

"Shannon, you thought about it. I actually tried! Three times I tried to take my own life because I was tired of my life." Cara looked back at him. She was upset; it was common for people to think about it, but she had actually tried. "I tried to hang myself; I tried to jump off a bridge; I tried to poison myself with carbon monoxide." She touched his shoulders.

"Cara I did try. Matt and Jeff were the only ones who knew because they stopped me. We just left it at me considering it so nobody knew the truth." Shannon held her shoulders, staring into those dark eyes. "I know what you are going through. I know how it feels; but you can't shut me out because you think it changes anything. I'm still here and I still care about what happens to you. I want to be with you Cara, if you'll have me." He kissed her hair and stroked her back. Her eyes misted with tears and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'll have you, if you'll have me, too," she whispered against his shoulder.

"Of course," he smiled and kissed her cheek. "Let's get some sleep." She nodded and he nudged off her shoes with a foot. She blushed and nestled into his chest.

I am SO SORRY!! I didn't realize how long I had gone without updating. My senior year is turning into a mess so things have been stressful. Thankfully, I have 9 school days left and I'll be able to upload a little more often. I'm going to try to upload the rest of the story soon. The only thing to do is divide chapters. I'm hoping by July I'll have this finally all uploaded.

EW;)