Dory, sweetheart, how the hell are you?"

I froze for all of three seconds before I jerked around in my seat. Dave stood in the doorway, a huge grin on his face. He stood framed in the destroyed doorway, wearing black jeans, cowboy boots and a blue western shirt. The bruises from his fight with Mark had faded and his grin was full of mischief, his eyes dancing with it. Throwing his arms wide, he dropped his duffel bag to the ground. "What, sweetheart, no hug for your favorite guy?"

Laughing at him, I refused to look at Mark and got to my feet, walking towards him. Still a few feet away he stepped over and wrapped me in his arms, swinging me around.

Wrapping my arms around his neck to keep my balance I laughed at him, chiding him gently, "Dave, you nut! Put me down."

Setting me back down on my feet, he bent his head so only I could hear his words, whispering, "Everything ok? Robert's filled me in a little."

Leaning back I dropped my arms, stepping gracefully out of his embrace. Dave carelessly grabbed both of my hands, keeping my by his side. I heard chairs scraping across the floor behind us and knew Mark was coming. I was surprised he'd waited this long. Glenn must have sat on him.

I tugged futilely on my hands but Dave wouldn't release me. "Everything's fine. The bruises are gone. The memories are fading. I'm happy." I glanced over my shoulder and saw Mark stomping across the floor, frowning. "Mark—"

"Mark can speak for himself," Mark's deep voice cut me off, irritation and—jealousy colored his tone. Good grief, could he possibly still be jealous of Dave?

"Well, well, so we meet again. And aren't you in the same happy mood." Dave glanced back down at Dory, noting the happy look in her eyes, the way she continually glanced back at the big man standing beside her. He really should leave it alone . . . but who was he kidding? He always did like to push his luck. Tugging on Dory's hands he pulled her against his side and slid an arm around her shoulder. Glancing up he saw the flames light up in the green eyes that were glaring at him. Bingo. Score one for him. Robert was wrong. He'd said Mark was using Dory, didn't care about her. Shit, anyone could see the man had it bad. Hell he'd known that weeks ago but seeing them together now just confirmed it. And he knew Dory felt the same. He was the one who'd listened to her drunken ramblings that night. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Dory. He'd promised Robert he'd look out for Dory and he would. But that was as far as he'd go. Robert was wrong. He was being a little too overprotective. That was usually the case of big brothers.

"So, sweetheart, how ya been doing?"

Leaning down Dave kissed her cheek, cutting his eyes sideways just to catch Mark's reaction. He smiled in satisfaction when Mark took a threatening step toward him.

Glenn leaned against the wall, watching the interesting by play. Some stranger walks in, grabs Dory, kisses her even and Mark doesn't kill him. Interesting. Who in the hell was this guy with a death wish?

Jerking away from Dave I shoved him away. "Back off Dave. That's enough."

Dave laughed. "Aww, honey, don't. Haven't you missed me?"

Looking up at him I had to laugh. He was giving me his lost puppy look. "Yeah, like a hole in the head. Why don't you quit before you get hurt?" I gestured toward Mark standing directly in front of us, his hands clenched in fists, green eyes burning, mouth tight.

"Awwh, hell, what's he going to do?" Leering at her comically, he made as if to grab her again, saying, "Besides it would be worth it to have you again."

"Again?" Glenn asks faintly from his side of the room. Damn, an ex-boyfriend. This just got a lot more interesting.

Laughing at him I backed out of his reach, heading towards Mark.

Mark stepped up blocking Dave when he took a step after Dory. Mark slung an arm across Dory's shoulders, anchoring her to his side. "I think it's time you explained why the hell you're here. And how the hell you got backstage."

Glenn straightened. Shit, the way Dory had greeted this smiling stranger he'd thought he was a friend but Mark's tone. . . Glenn walked over and took a stance on Dory's other side, closing the protective circle.

Dave glanced at the threesome facing him. A stranger had walked up and stood on the other side of Dory. Standing as tall as Mark he was just as broad with long hair and cold gray eyes that stared a hole right through a man. Before he could stop himself he took a step back. "Damn you grow 'em big up here, don't you?" Dave swallowed, hard. Hell, Dory wouldn't let them kill him. Hopefully.

Mark's voice was deep, annoyed. "Keep your hands off her. I won't tell you again."

Dave snorted, "Or what?"

"I'll break something else that won't heal so quick next time." He made the threat quietly, emotionlessly.

I blinked, looking from Mark to Dave. Damn this was not good.

"What'd you break the first time?" Glenn's curious voice came over my head.

I whipped around to glare at him. Glenn met my eyes and shrugged. "Hey, I'm just curious."

Mark grinned. "I broke his nose."

Glenn snorted, "Damn man you're getting a bad habit of doing that, aren't you?"

Mark scowled, "I warned him and he didn't listen. You've got a bad habit of that yourself . . ."

Glenn grinned at the implied threat, flipping Mark off behind Dory's back.

Mark made a grab for Glenn, barely missing, instead wrapping his arm more tightly around Dory.

"Hey, I see you found the dressing room. I didn't think you'd get lost . . ." Tony's voice trailed off as he took in the tension in the small room. Glenn, Dory, and Mark were standing side by side facing Dave who looked very uncomfortable. Tony coughed, "Umm, am I interrupting?"

"Yes," Mark barked.

Glenn just glared at him.

Dave just shrugged.

Tony looked at me as if I had all the answers in the world. I glared at him beginning to have my own suspicions. "Hello, Tony."

Tony swallowed, hard. Dory looked very unhappy. "H-hello, Dory. You're looking good."

Glenn rolled his eyes. Mark shook his head. Tony always used flattery to try and worm his way out of a tight spot. He'd need all the help he could get. Dory had that look in her eye.

"I think you're just in time to do a little explaining Tony," I folded my arms across my chest and glared at Tony expectantly.

Tony looked from one face to the other. Dory looked irritated, Mark looked angry and Glenn looked slightly amused. Cutting a quick look at Dave, he tried to figure out what was going on. This guy was supposed to be a good friend of Dory's. But from the looks of things. . . Shit, what had he done?

"What have you done, Tony? You look guilty as hell."

Mark's voice cut across his thoughts causing Tony to start, making him drop the bag he'd been holding. The sound of it landing on the floor was loud in the silence of the room.

Glancing around the room as if looking for a way out he finally noticed the absolute destruction that surrounded them. "Damn, what happened in here? An earthquake?"

Refusing to let Tony change the subject Mark said, "Yeah Glenn fell out of his chair. It was a 6.5 on the scale. Now confess. What the hell have you done? Why is he in my locker room?" Mark gave a stiff nod in Dave's direction.

Swallowing nervously, Tony started to explain. "Umm, well you know that Robert had to leave and go home?" Three heads nodded. "Well, he, uh, called me the other day and we were talking and I just happened to mention Dory's match tonight and the restrictions on it." He paused flicking each of them a look but was met with stony silence. Sighing he continued, "Anyway, Robert had this great idea that since Mark and Glenn were barred from ringside why not get Dory her own personal body guard? I told him we had plenty of people we could send out with her but he thought she'd never go for it unless it was someone she knew, someone she was comfortable with. So he sent Dave." He gestured to the lean man standing casually beside him. "I just picked him up at the airport. We just made it to the arena. Damn, traffic was bad. We were supposed to be here an hour ago." Tony looked at Mark who just stared at him, his green eyes burning. Tony quickly looked away. Glancing at Dory he saw a smile slowly work its way across her lips and he dared to hope everything would work out. If she was ok with it, then Mark would come around. Flicking a look at Glenn he saw the amusement in his eyes but no smile graced his lips. Of course not. The man didn't want Mark pissed at him—he'd just sit back and laugh while Mark tore into everyone else.

Mark shook his head. "No, absolutely not."

I turned and looked at him. "Why not?" I kinda liked the idea, especially after what had happened tonight.

"Because I said so." Mark slammed his eyes shut and groaned as soon as the words left his mouth. He didn't need to feel Dory jerk away or feel the glare she tossed at him to know he'd just made a mistake. He'd just backed himself into a corner. Damn it! He heard Glenn smother a laugh and reached over, slamming his hand against his shoulder, hard. "Shut up, brother."

"Hmm, brothers, that explains a lot," Dave muttered.

Muttering about idiots under his breath, Mark turned to Dory, "Darlin' you don't need him out there. We'll be right here—Glenn and I'll be in the gorilla position and we'll watch the match from there. No one's going to hurt you."

I glared at Mark through his pep talk, waiting until he finished. "That isn't the point. I want him out there. He flew all this way to do me a favor. Tony thinks it would be a good idea. So does Glenn. You do too if it was anyone but Dave. You'd be out there yourself if Vince would let you."

Mark sighed, knowing he was arguing a losing argument but not ready to give up yet. Walking over he stepped toward her, backing her a little away from everyone else. "Darlin' I don't trust him." He ignored the snort that came from Dave, pressing his suit with Dory. "He doesn't know anything about what we're doing. He's never been out there before. Hell he'll probably get stage fright and freeze." Mark threw a smirk over his shoulder at Dave before turning his attention back to Dory. Reaching out he brushed her hair back from her forehead, letting his hand curve down to settle against her neck and pulling her a few steps closer.

I stepped closer to Mark, letting him pull me against him. "That's not true Mark. He'll be fine." I glanced over at Dave, noting that he wasn't smiling any more. "He'll be fine. He doesn't need to wrestle. He's there for me. Just to make sure Big Show or none of the others come out there. You or Glenn can't be out there but he can. Right Tony?" I looked at Tony expectantly.

Tony nodded reluctantly when Mark turned to glare at him. "Umm, yeah. I cleared it with Vince. He really didn't ask any questions. No one knows Dave and so no one is going to really care who he is." Realizing what he'd just said Tony looked apologetically at Dave. Dave just shrugged and turned his gaze back on Dory. He didn't care what the fans thought of him. He'd promised to do this for Dory. That's the only reason he'd taken his vacation time and flown out here.

Mark cursed, "Shit. You just thought of everything didn't you Tony?"

Tony nodded uncertainly. "That's what I get paid for." He shrugged and looked at Glenn.

Glenn grinned and nodded, giving him a thumbs up behind Mark's back. Tony relaxed slightly.

Mark turned his back on the rest of the room and looked down at Dory. "You need him out there?" Mark's eyes narrowed and he glared at a spot over her shoulder as he waited tensely for her to answer. Why her answer meant so much to him he didn't know. He knew he couldn't be down there and Glenn couldn't be out there but did it have to be the damn ex-boyfriend that had rubbed him wrong from the very beginning? The one who always seemed to be there for her? The one who was always there for her when he wasn't? That was the sore spot. Dave was always there for Dory when Mark wasn't. He'd been there the night Mark had shown up to apologize to Dory. The damn man had had his hands all over her. And now when she needs someone she'll feel safe and comfortable with—who does her brother send? Dave. Always Dave. Would the bastard ever be out of her life? Would there ever be room for him?

I watched the emotions flicker across Mark's face and wondered what he was thinking. There was anger but something else as well. Reaching up I tipped his face down to me. Pulling his head down to me I ignored the rest of the people in the room. Mark's broad frame blocked me from their view anyway. His eyes finally flickered down to meet mine, a question in their dark green depths. I kept my voice a whisper, wanting our conversation to be private. "I'd rather have you. Always you. But that isn't possible this time. This is our best solution right now. Work with me on this, ok?"

Finally after a tense few minutes he leaned down and brushed his lips lightly against mine. A shiver ran down the length my spine. Butterflies set up a mating dance in the depths of my stomach from the too brief contact. Before I could even reach for him he'd drawn away and turned to face Glenn, Tony and Dave.

"Alright. He can go to the ring with Dory." Casting a dark look at Dave where he still lounged against the door, Mark continued, "You listen to everything Glenn has to say. You do what he tells you when he tells you to do it. When you get to the ring, Dory's in charge. You stay outside the ring. You don't get in the ring. It's going to be a quick match. Dory's supposed to win with a quick three count. She's a fan favorite right now." He took a second to toss a quick grin at Dory, knowing she relished the reaction she got from the crowd. "She'll roll Stephanie up for the count then you all will come back here ASAP, got it? Straight back here. You do not touch her. Got that?"

Dave straightened and saluted Mark mockingly, "Yes, sir."

Glenn muffled a laugh and turned away when Mark took a step towards Dave.

Reaching out I grabbed Mark by the arm. "How long until my match?"

Glenn answered, "You're toward the end. You've got about half an hour. Why?"

Tugging on Mark's arm I started towards the door waving Dave out of our way. "Glenn, why don't you bring Dave up to speed on what will happen tonight while Mark and I go get him some stitches? I'd hate for him to bleed to death just so he can stand here and argue."

Glenn nodded. "Good idea. Come on Dave." Glenn turned and headed back for the corner, already filling Dave in on the details of what was to come and getting him out of Mark's reach.

I tugged on Mark's hand, trying to get him to move towards the door. "Come on, Mark. I've only got a few minutes." Tugging on his hand again I finally got him moving toward the door.

"You're getting awfully bossy, darlin," Mark drawled, throwing one last glare over his shoulder at the two whispering in the corner before following Dory out the door.

Casting a half serious look over my shoulder at him, I asked, "Oh? Am I too bossy for you?"

Taking a long step to catch up to her, Mark dropped a casual arm around her shoulders and answered her question seriously, "Not for me, darlin. Easy women were never my style." Then he ruined it by looking down at her and laughing, adding, "Of course there's something about a little bit of something like you bossing me around that just turns me on." He wiggled his eyebrows to show her he was only teasing her, taking her mind off her match that was coming up later.

Caught off guard by his remark, I missed a step and tripped. My stomach was up in my throat, my heart pounding like it wanted out of my chest. It probably did. It wanted to fly right out of my chest and into his safekeeping. I felt his arm tighten around my shoulders, keeping me upright. I mumbled a vague, "Thank you" and kept walking. I was in way too deep here. I'd played the little innuendo game with him and held my own for all of two seconds and now . . .I was lost. In more ways than one.

Thankfully I saw the medical station come into view before the silence lengthened. Mark cussed when he saw the med tech turn toward us. I looked up at him questioningly. "You don't like him?"

Mark shrugged. "He's a pain."

I was about to ask him to explain when they guy turned and spotted us. He was small, probably about my height, with a bit of a belly and sandy colored hair and wire rimmed glasses. Looking up at Mark I could have swore his eyes laughed and he rubbed his hands together even though he never moved a muscle. I felt Mark tense beside me and heard him sigh.

"So what have you done this time? Forget to duck?" The man clucked his tongue and motioned Mark up on the table while he turned to get his supplies.

Mark clenched his teeth and tried to ignore the man. He did this to him every time. Damn man treated every other wrestler like a friend or family and treated him like the scum of the Earth. "Just do the stitches, damn it. I don't need the 3rd degree," he growled as he obediently settled on the table. I stepped over next to Mark, lacing my fingers through his, urging him to have some patience.

The med tech nodded and stepped up in front of us. "No you don't need the 3rd degree, you need some stitches across your mouth," he grinned and then looked over at me as if noticing for the first time that they weren't alone.

"You little—" Mark began only to be cut off.

The med tech nodded at me, "Who are you?"

Not sure whether to be offended or not at the short question, I answered, nodding in Mark's direction, "His Destiny." I gave my wrestling name like Mark had told me to. Backstage he'd said to keep it simple and just use Destiny.

The tech stared at me for a minute, his eyes almost indiscernible behind the lenses of his glasses. "So you're some ring rat?"

Mark growled and came off the table, backing the med tech up. "Jimmy, sometimes the shit you pull is amusing and sometimes you just flat piss me off."

Jimmy quickly held up a hand, backing away. "Hey, what the hell did I say?"

I stepped up between them putting a hand against Mark's chest. "Mark, I think he misunderstood." Looking at the frowning tech, I explained, "Destiny is the name I'm wrestling under."

Frowning Jimmy reached up and untangled Mark's fingers from his white lab coat, giving Mark a stiff, affronted look. Smoothing the wrinkles from it he backed away from Mark and took a closer look at me. "Hmm, yes I should have noticed. The shirt, the pants." Turning his attention back to Mark he said, "She's a miniature you. She just needs to add the tattoos."

Mark grunted, "Shut up Jimmy. She's all that's saving you."

Jimmy snorted, "Looks to me someone already taught you a lesson tonight. Not that you didn't deserve I'm sure but put your ass on that table and I'll see what I can do to fix you."

Mark looked like he was about to argue until I walked over with him. "I'm running out of time, remember? I need you there as close as possible—not back here arguing with him."

Mark snapped his mouth shut and returned to the table, slipping back up on it.

Jimmy glanced back at me, a new respect in his eyes. He didn't acknowledge me in any other way just that quick glance before he went back to sniping at Mark.

"Well, we can see who's the brains of this partnership, huh? It's about time, too. Hell, you might make a success out of this wrestling thing yet. Who knows?"

I heard Mark growl and I turned to look at Jimmy. Jimmy turned his head away from Mark, looking directly at me and grinned, showing his enjoyment of poking fun at Mark.

Before I could say something Jimmy spoke, "Here you come with me. I need you to carry some things over to the table for me. You should be good for that."

Mark held tight to my hand, refusing to let go. "You've got other people back here. Let them do it. She stays with me."

Jimmy snorted, "Well, if you're scared to sit here by yourself for five minutes . . ."

Tugging at my hand I tried to forestall another argument, "I don't mind helping. We'll be right back. Not even out of sight, right Jimmy?"

Rolling his eyes, Jimmy nodded.

Mark loosened his grip and finally let go.

Walking quickly behind Jimmy before Mark could change his mind and reach out a long arm and grab me we started down the hall after the supplies.

"So what are we going after?" I asked curiously.

Jimmy ignored me for a couple of steps before tossing a sly look over his shoulder. "Nothing really. Just wanted to irritate him a little more. Figured this would do it," he said, laughing under his breath.

I stopped and looked over my shoulder, meeting Mark's suspicious gaze. I quickly started walking again. "Why do you do that? Do you treat all the wrestlers this way?"

Stopping by the supply cart set up in the hall, Jimmy grabbed a couple of items and turned, tossing them to me. Surprised I barely caught them. "Here you carry those. I'll take these. That way he won't be mad at you. Just me," then he laughed and started back toward Mark.

"Answer me."

He flicked a glance at me, a quick searching glance. "You want the truth?" At her nod he continued, "At first it was because I was nervous." At her shocked look he laughed, "Yeah I know. He's intimidating. Especially when he's bleeding and you're the one who has to stitch him up. As unbelievable as it is I just naturally have a smart mouth. It comes out at the most inopportune times." He tossed her a wry smile. "Like the first time I had to put seventeen stitches in the big man there. He was a little grumpy to be sure. It was after some match with the Big Show. I was brand new, it was my first day on the job and lucky me but who's my first patient? That's right—your boyfriend."

I had to laugh at his disgruntled tone. I could just see the picture his words were painting. I'd say that Mark was very pissed on the day he was describing.

"Anyway he was grumbling about something and decided to take it out on the medical staff—me in particular. Instead of just sucking it up and keeping quiet I snapped back at him—and that, my dear, was the start of the beautiful relationship you see before you today," he finished and bowed before her mockingly. "From now on when they see that he's hurt everyone else runs for the back and leaves me to it. He intimidates the hell out of the rest of the staff." He shrugged. "I'm surprised he hasn't caught on yet." He laughed and continued down the hall. "I've been here for over three years now. No one else has ever worked on him unless I haven't been here. I wonder if he's even noticed. . . "

Shrugging, I said, "I don't know. I'll have to ask him."

Jimmy stopped, catching my arm, all traces of amusement wiped from his face. "No. This conversation stays between you and me." Dropping her arm, he started back down the hall, "If he thinks I like or respect him, my little insults won't bother him half as much. Hell, that's the only fun I get on the job."

Nodding, I agreed. It really didn't matter. If they wanted to keep up their little sniping relationship that was fine with me.

Slapping his items down on the table beside Mark, Jimmy turned and took the bandages and sterile tape he'd tossed to me.

"Ok, let's get down to business."

As soon as he touched Mark he became a complete professional. His touch was gentle, thorough as he checked the cut and cleaned away the dried blood.

"What did this?" he asked curiously.

"A jackass," Mark answered tersely as Jimmy's fingers prodded the opening.

Jimmy snorted, "I meant what hit you."

"So did I," Mark growled.

To cut off the argument I could sense coming, I answered, "A chain. He got hit with a chain."

"Hmm . . ." Jimmy made a noncommittal sound as he finished cleansing the wound. Glancing at the cut, he said, "This isn't too deep, it'll just take a few stitches." Running a curious finger over a scar a little higher up he raised a brow at Mark, "And just who yanked these stitches out before it was time? Made a lovely scar on an otherwise harsh canvas." Ignoring the frown Mark was wearing he threading the curved needle and laid it to the side, waiting for Mark's answer.

Looking at the scar Jimmy was talking about I realized it was the one where he'd gotten stitches at the hospital when we'd gotten his hand x-rayed. I waited to see if Mark would answer.

Finally as the silence lengthened Mark gave in, which surprised me. It could have had something to do with the look on Jimmy's face as he held the needle and walked towards Mark.

"I did. I took the damn things out. They itched, alright?" Reaching up, he rubbed a hand self-consciously against the scar running down the side of his brow.

"Hey it's your face," Jimmy muttered as he gave Mark the shot, numbing the area before he started stitching. Wrapping the used needle and tossing it in the hazardous waste, he turned back to Mark, "I didn't put those in, did I?" Jimmy sounded only slightly curious.

Looking wary and suspicious Mark shook his head.

Jimmy nodded as he carefully tapped Mark's cheek, "Feel that?" He waited until Mark shook his head before picking up the needle and starting to piece the flesh back together. I turned my face away but held tight to Mark's hand.

Jimmy continued, "You just remember that what I put in, I take out. Got it? Whether they itch or not. You'll not ruin my work."

I flicked a look up at Mark's eyes to see how he was taking that warning and saw the deep green burn a little brighter, saw the annoyance there. It's a wonder he didn't just yank the needle away from Jimmy and put the stitches in himself. I gave his hand a squeeze and smiled at him, trying to get his attention off Jimmy.

"Hey, Destiny, Kane's looking for you. It's time for your match."

I jerked around and saw Hunter standing there watching us, a grin on his face, evidently hearing part of Jimmy's shots at Mark.

"Is it time already?"

Hunter nodded but glanced at his watch anyway. "Yeah it is." He glanced at Mark and shrugged. "Sorry. Steph is already in the gorilla. Kane thought that's where you'd be but you weren't. He said he had to get somebody else so I said I'd come and get you. You've got just enough time to get up front—Steph's going out first and then you'll come out."

I nodded, knowing this was exactly how we'd planned it but now that the time was at hand—butterflies were in my stomach. "Ok, thanks Hunter."

He smiled in understanding. "Don't worry. Steph's been working hard. You all are going to have a great match." He nodded at Mark and turned to go back and find a monitor to watch the match, his stride not as smooth or graceful as when Stephanie was by his side. He wasn't as calm about the upcoming match as he was pretending to be either. Stephanie didn't usually wrestle without him being at ringside and for some reason, his instincts were screaming a warning at him. But there was no reason. It was just a regular match. She liked Destiny, hell he liked Destiny. Everything would be fine. Shaking his head he went to find a monitor and berate himself for being too damn overprotective. But he was going to make sure the monitor was close to the entrance. Overprotective . . .but not stupid.

"Damn it man hurry up. I've got to go," Mark growled.

"You can't hurry the medical profession. We are in the business of saving lives," Jimmy lectured as he punctured Mark's skin and pulled it tight, sewing the edges together.

Mark groaned. "Give me a break. It's just a friggin' scratch."

Jimmy grinned, "Exactly. And you won't even know it was there when I get done. Now shut up."

I swallowed a laugh as the two of them went at it. Tugging at Mark's hand to get his attention, "Why don't you finish up here and I'll go on to the ring? You can't come to the ring with me anyway so there's no rush. Glenn will be at the entrance and Dave will be with me." Seeing the frustration in his eyes, I rubbed my fingers over the back of his hand, the best I could do in the situation, "I want to know that you are taken care of. That's the most important thing to me." Ignoring the sidelong glances Jimmy kept sending me, I reached up and slid my hand into his hair and stood on my tiptoes. I could just reach his jaw and I placed a tiny, nibbling kiss there before leaning closer so the conversation was a little more private. "I'll be back in your arms before you can miss me." I felt his muscles tighten where I leaned against him and his eyes burned when I finally looked up and met his gaze.

Ignoring Jimmy completely who'd stopped stitching for the moment and instead was just watching us, as if fascinated by the interplay, Mark brushed his lips across mine, before whispering, "Too late. I miss you already." Reaching out he gave me a one armed hug and then pushed me away brushing my hair back, a gesture he did as a habit, a need to touch more than anything else I think. "You gotta go now. I hear Stephanie's music playing. Good luck."

I nodded and turned to walk away, never realizing how hard it would be to walk out there without him until that moment. I'd never been out there without him. Never. I stopped walking and looked back at him. He was still watching me, his eyes a deep, dark green burning into me.

As if he knew exactly what I needed to hear to get me moving again he said, "I'll still be with you. I'll be right here, watching every move you make. You won't be alone, darlin'. Never alone again. I guarantee it."

I stared at him for a minute, just soaking up his words, letting them seep into my soul. It wasn't a declaration of love but it was devotion of sorts. It was close. It was what I needed. I started walking again.

"Damn Dory I'm nervous," Dave muttered peeking once again through the curtains at the arena full of people. He had changed clothes since the last time I'd seen him. He was wearing a plain black T-shirt and black jeans with black cowboy boots. He looked dark and slightly dangerous . . .until he looked out at the arena again and started muttering about how many people were out there.

I laughed, thinking what fun Mark would have if he could only see Dave now. "Don't worry Dave. As soon as you step out there it'll go away." I searched my mind for the right words to describe it, trying to paint the right picture for him. I hadn't really been out there enough times myself to be too familiar with it but maybe that's why it was so easy for me to feel what Dave felt. "When you step out on the ramp and you see the crowd, you feel that energy, it's like nothing you've ever felt before. You come alive, you feed off of it. It's just—"

"Hey, you can't be back here."

I turned around and looked to see who was talking. One of the security guards, one I had never seen before, had come up behind us and had a hold of Dave's arm.

"Hey, get off me," Dave jerked his arm free, glaring at the security guard.

"You can't be back here. No fans are allowed in the backstage area unless they have a pass. I don't see a pass."

I looked at the guard, trying to place him. He was about Dave's height, pretty muscular, with blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Searching his face I couldn't remember seeing him but usually when we were backstage we were just going to or from the ring and I was usually with Mark. Security didn't usually bother me when I was with him.

"He's with me. He's not a fan, he's about to go to the ring with me," I said, stepping over to Dave's side, facing the guard. I felt Dave take a step closer and felt comforted by his presence.

The security guard let his eyes roam over my shirt and pants, stopping briefly on the stitching on one leg. "Destiny huh?" He laughed. "I don't care who you think you are. I've never heard of you. I think you need to come with me." He reached a hand out for my arm.

Jerking back out of his reach, I stumbled over Dave and would have fell if strong arms hadn't reached out to catch me.

"Thanks Dave," I whispered, watching the guard closely and trying to keep an ear out for my music. Once it started we could just dart through the entrance and there'd be nothing he could do.

"Oh, sweetheart, big mistake. You better be glad it was me and not Mark. He wouldn't forgive being called Dave."

Jerking my head back at the gentle teasing I looked into the red and black flames of Kane's mask. The only visible part of Glenn's face was his chin and mouth where you could see part of his light beard – the rest was pure Kane. He was still wearing his wrestling gear and had the contact in. I should have known it wasn't Dave—I just hadn't been thinking clearly.

I heard Dave sigh next to me and looked over to see him grinning. "See, baby, I told you size does matter!"

I felt Glenn's arms tighten around me, heard his muttered, "What the hell?" and smothered a laugh. Dave had a slightly warped sense of humor. Following Dave's nod I saw the security guard quickly disappearing around the corner.

Straightening from Glenn's hold, I shook my head at Dave. "Dave, you're just not right. I think it was more who he was rather than how big he was."

"Hmm," Dave just grinned.

"As interesting as this conversation is getting—" Glenn quirked a brow and looked down at me, a grin on his lips, "—and it is getting pretty interesting, but isn't that your music Destiny?"

I groaned as I heard the haunting echo of the heartbeat whispering through the arena. Looking over at Dave I saw a startled look on his face.

"That's your music?"

Watching him I saw that he was rubbing his arms, saw the hair standing up on his arms. I grinned, nodding at him. "Let's go. You ready?"

Glenn reached out and grabbed my hand, stopping me. "Where's Mark?"

"He was just finishing up with Jimmy when Hunter found me. He had to have a few stitches for his cheek. I don't think it'll be much longer and then he'll be right up here to watch the match with you."

Hearing the heartbeat fade I knew it was about time for me to appear and so did Glenn. He let me go and started toward the back. "If he's about done I'll meet him halfway and see if I see that security guard. I'd like to know what he thought he was doing grabbing at you like that. You'll be fine with Dave out there. Big Show isn't going anywhere with that chair shot Mark gave him. Make it a quick match, got it? Roll her up and end it." Throwing an arm around her he hugged her quickly before turning away, throwing one last warning over his shoulder, "Remember what I told you Dave. She's in charge out there. No one touches her. No one. The match is between her and Stephanie. Anyone else tries to touch her—your job is to make sure they don't. Anyway you have to. Got it? Mark and I will back you. Don't worry about it." He waited until Dave nodded and then he turned and walked away, never looking back.

I heard the harsh thump of my music start and knew I needed to be on the ramp. "Let's go Dave. Stay a step behind me and you'll be fine. Stay in the corner, don't interfere between me and Stephanie no matter what. We've got it planned out." Looking at him one last time before I walked through the curtain I grinned, "Breathe Dave."

Sucking in a deep breath, he nodded and followed me out.