Chapter 13

Steve took Chalice's hand as they walked down the hallway, squeezing it gently, and asked softly, "You gonna be alright, Challie girl?"

Chalice only nodded, not trusting her real voice as her brother guided them out of the hotel and to the rental car. The entire ride to the airport was made in silence as Chalice let the tears stream down her cheeks freely that she'd been holding in. She looked out the window, her forehead pressed gently against it, and had her arms wrapped around herself. She'd kept her promise so far by not crying in front of Mark. Not wanting to see the heartbreak in his eyes. Once they got past security at the airport, Chalice took a seat near her terminal, thankful her brother's was nearby, and watched as Steve went to check in the rental car.

He came walking back, carrying a white rose, which was Chalice's favorite flower. He held it out to her, wishing there was something he could say or do to ease her pain, knowing only time and being with Mark could do that. "Ya gonna be alright out there on yer own, darlin'?" He asked, sitting in the chair next to her.

Cracking a small smile at her brother, Chalice sighed as she held the white rose in her hand. She pressed it to her nose and inhaled before twirling it around while staring at it thoughtfully. "I will be fine, Stevie." She finally spoke, never taking her eyes from the flower, and tried to keep the tears from pricking her eyes again.

Steve sighed, rubbing his face with his hands, his head shooting up when they started calling off the next round of flights. He leaned back when neither of theirs were called, knowing it was just a matter of time. "You have my cell number if ya need, anythin', Challie." He said softly, reaching over to take her free hand in his. "Call darlin' and I'll be there in a heartbeat, ya know that right?"

"I know that, Stevie." She quietly responded, not trusting her full voice yet, and squeezed his, still not taking her eyes from the rose. They captivated her. Their beauty, especially white ones. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes, allowed a few more tears to slip down her cheeks, and dropped her head forward. Her heart was breaking, shattering into pieces, and couldn't believe how much it hurt. She knew she had to go though. That she had to fulfill her dreams. Regardless of what her heart and mind were both screaming at her.

Steve sighed heavily again, pulling her into his arms, resting his head on top of hers. "It'll be fine, Challie girl. You and Mark will be together before ya know it." He knew about Mark possibly getting some time off, but had, under Mark's insistence, agreed to not mention it to Chalice. Agreeing with Mark on not wanting to get her hopes up. He wanted to tell her. Give her something to cling too, but knew if it didn't happen, she would shatter all over again.

"I know, I'm sorry for being such a fuckin' baby about this." She muttered, sniffling more as she wiped her tears away, and snuggled against her brother. She needed his comfort at that moment. More than she'd ever needed anything in her life. She sighed as another round of flights were being called and was actually thankful it wasn't Steve's. "What if…What if I come back and he doesn't want me, Stevie?" She finally whispered out, her heart shattering just at the thought, and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. "I know I should have faith, but I can't help, but think the worst…"

He knew where she was coming from. It was one of many concerns on the road. It happened to them all at one point or another. Making it worse was the fact that they were both on the road. Usually, one stayed at home keeping the fires burning. This meant twice the temptation. Twice the loneliness and fear. Each in different cities, not knowing what was happening with the other. He cleared his throat, staring down into her eyes, identical mirrors of his. "Mark loves you, Chalice." He said softly. "He'll wait fer ya and he's goin' to want ya as much then as he does now." Steve sounded so sure of himself and he didn't hesitate for an instant at what he said.

"How can you be so sure?" She whispered back, pulling away a little to stare back into his eyes a little more clearly. "I mean, you hated the man for how many years?" Chalice sighed as she stopped and closed her eyes again, allowing more tears to fall, and growled in frustration. "I swear, I need a vacuum to suck these damned things out of my eye sockets." She grumbled, causing Steve to chuckle, and had to laugh herself.

Steve pulled out a blue bandana out of his pocket and handed it to her, waving her away when she offered it back. "Mark and I used to be friends, Challie before that bit with the…bitch." He point blank refused to say her name. "Our damned stubborn pride and egos got in our way and we just started hatin' each other. If it weren't fer him fallin' for ya, we might still be beatin' the Hell outta each other right now."

"I know everything you're saying is right and I know that he loves me, but a lot can change in three months, bro. I mean, he could end up falling for some Diva on the roster and want her. Who could blame him because all of those Divas are way more beautiful than I am." Chalice sighed again as she raked a hand through her hair and shrugged. She was always one to never care about her appearance. Never one to judge people by who they were on the outside, but more on the inside. That's what she'd done with Mark and now they were together. For how long was the question that kept plaguing her mind.

Shaking his head, Steve looked amused at his sister. "Mark don't date the Divas. He knows better. The woman in question was a ring rat though neither of us knew it at the time. So ya don't have any worries there, Challie." He assured her, hugging her again, and sighed when his flight was called and there was no sign of Mark. He guessed the man had decided to take one of his motorcycles to the next show, needing time alone. "I gotta go, Challie." He stood up, pulling her with him, hugging her tightly. "I love ya and Mark loves ya. Don't doubt that, darlin'."

Chalice hugged her brother back and held him tightly, allowing more tears to fall down her face. She sniffled a little as she finally pulled back, squared her shoulders, and touched his face with her hand. "You be careful and don't get busted open so much." She winked at him and laughed before kissing his cheek and then stared into his eyes. "I love you, Stevie. Thank you for the pep talk. I know Mark loves me and you just proved it even more." She kissed his other cheek and finally released him altogether, wiping her tears away, and watched as he walked away from her.

As soon as he was out of sight, Chalice sunk down in the chair again and started crying to herself. Her hair hanging over her face. She still held the rose in her hand closed her eyes as she looked up, silently praying and hoping she was doing the right thing.

~A Few Months Later~

"So, they finally gave ya yer time off." Steve drawled, dealing out the next round of cards for the game they were playing. He shook his head, the show already over, neither up to leaving. Just hanging out in the cafeteria, knocking back a few cold ones. "Took'em long enough."

Mark grunted, scooping up his cards and studying them, taking a swig of his beer. "That's what I thought." He said, not sounding amused, finally arching an eyebrow. "This looks like the same damned hand I had the last time, Austin."

Steve raised his own eyebrows, looking shocked and offended as he growled, "How many damned times do I gotta tell ya I don't cheat?" He huffed, glaring at his friend. "If ya don't like yer cards then pass'em back and I'll shuffle again."

"No…" Mark shook his head, a sly grin crossing his lips, enjoying tormenting his buddy. "I'll keep what I got. You might try cheating me again."

"You sumbitch!"

She stared out the window, her arms crossed in front of her chest, a huge smile on her face. She couldn't believe her book tour had finished earlier than expected and decided to surprise her brother and the love of her life. Not only that, but she'd gotten a rather HUGE offer that she couldn't refuse, especially when it had to deal with her and Mark's relationship. She sighed in contentment and leaned back against her chair, not able to wait to be back in Mark's arms again. Two and a half months was way too long to be away from him and she couldn't wait to see him again. To be in his arms. To feel his kisses. Her body tingled at the mere thought.

Steve tossed his cards down, blue eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You prick, how the Hell did ya pull that one outta yer ass?" He demanded, crushing his empty beer can in his fist.

Mark smirked, finishing his and tossing the can in the nearby garbage can. "Called skill, Austin. Maybe you should sit on down and let an ol' pro show you how to play right." He suggested, that cocky smirk still on his lips as it practically danced.

"I'm gonna show an ol' pro what it's like to have a boot up his ol' ass!" Steve threatened, shaking his head, trying not to grin. This was what their friendship was built on before that bitch interfered and he was really happy to have his card playing buddy back.

The red eye plane landed a few hours later in Los Angeles, where the WWF was currently located, and Chalice was beat. She was never one for plane rides. No matter how many she'd taken over the past two and half months with her book tour. She quickly got her bag and walked out of the airport, flying by security. She went to her rental car, which was a midnight blue corvette, and smirked to herself. This book tour definitely had its quirks as she hopped in, turned the ignition on, and smiled as she drove to the hotel.

Mark had to move when Steve lost the next round because he'd literally flipped the table he was so pissed. "Calm down, Stevie boy!" He taunted, knowing Steve hated to lose, especially to him since they usually played for money.

"Yer cheatin', ya dick!" Steve snapped, the look on Mark's face nearly driving him up the damn wall. After a few minutes, he calmed down, righted the table, and opened a fresh beer, sliding one to Mark. "We need to play a new game. I'm tired of poker."

"I was thinking the same thing." Mark drawled, toasting Steve.

"Yeah, like what?" Steve asked curiously, staring at his best friend with those piercing blue eyes.

"Slap jack."

Pulling into the hotel parking lot, Chalice was physically and mentally drained as she shuffled into the hotel. Checking in, she nodded when the desk clerk handed her a key card before venturing to the elevator. She almost fell asleep against the wall of it, but managed to make it to her room, tossing her bag in the corner, and immediately peeled her clothes off. A shower was in order after that flight as she walked into the bathroom, started the shower, and stepped inside. Thoughts of Mark suddenly entered her mind, making the shower that much more enjoyable. His green eyes. His long hair. His muscular body pressed against hers. His soft lips caressing her own. She sighed as she allowed the water to spill down her body. In a matter of hours, she would be back in his arms and could hardly stand it.

Mark stopped being amused when Steve actually took him up on the slap jack. His hand was sore after Steve kept repeatedly bringing his hand down full force whenever he saw the hint of a face card. Before Mark had it completely flipped over and growled out, "You hit me once more and I'm gonna-"

"Slap jack!" Steve crowed, whacking Mark's hand, this time getting it right.

Steve had to wipe tears away from his eyes, he was laughing so damn hard as Mark shook his stinging hand. "What's wrong, Calaway? Can't take a little rough housin'?" He taunted with a chuckle.

Mark growled, his green eyes glowing with wicked intentions before flipping his next card. He didn't bother looking at whatever card Steve flipped. Just brought his fist down flat on Steve's hand and shouted, "Slap jack!"

"OUCH! JESUS CHRIST!" Steve howled, holding his hand against his chest as it plundered with pain. "It was a damned nine of clubs, you jackass!"

Mark folded his arms across his chest, watching impassively as Steve checked his hand for broken bones. "How bout a new game? Somethin' less violent?" He suggested, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile.

Pulling all the cards to him, Steve began shuffling. "Like what? Goldfish?" He snorted at the thought.

"You know Steve? I think you might've found a game on your skill level…"

After a soothing shower, Chalice slowly stepped out, feeling like she was about to fall over. She smiled as she walked over to the mirror and looked in it, giggling a little. She had cut her hair up to the middle of her back and put blonde and red streaks in it, making it look somewhat blood red with a tint of gold. She sighed in contentment, knowing her brother wouldn't believe it when he saw. She was NEVER one to dye her hair, but figured a change was in order. Chalice brushed her teeth and headed out to the bedroom part of her suite toward her bag.

Steve frowned, staring at his cards, wondering why the Hell he, a grown man, was playing Goldfish. "Do ya got an eight?" He asked, not sounding amused and downright bored.

"Go fish, man." Mark replied, shaking his head, and arched an eyebrow when Steve snatched up a card. "Have a king?"

"Yeah, but not one I'm handin' to ya." Steve shot back with a smirk on his face. "Go fish."

"You're a sick man, Austin. Keep your joker to your damned self."

After changing into a pair of pajama pants and matching tank top, Chalice finally decided it was time for bed. She put her dirty clothes in a separate pile and set up for bed. She pulled the comforter back and slipped inside, instantly snuggling into the pillow. She sighed, turning out the night stand light, and closed her eyes. Mark was the last thing that flowed through her mind before sleep engulfed her body completely, too exhausted to stay awake any longer.

After they'd finished off the case of beer, both men still stood reasonably sober. They ended up playing War, Concentration, and King's Cross, all with constant bickering back and forth. Steve finally declared he was through and lead the way out of the arena. Both men opted to share a cab since they'd been drinking. Both ribbing each other they were only doing it for the other. Once inside the hotel, they both shook hands and parted, each going their respective ways to their rooms, not realizing that they were going to be getting one Hell of a surprise that following day.