Title: Snake Eyes (4/?)
Disclaimer: I own nobody.
The shareholders of WWE, Inc. and Joss Whedon own the rights to anything
you recognize in this fic. To the
General Counsels of WWE and Mutant Enemy Productions: If you so desire, sue me. It will just give me a chance to sink my
teeth into a fun case for a change.
Spoilers: Takes place immediately following the 7/8/02 RAW. After season 6
for BtVS, except Willow and Tara were just friends and Buffy did
indeed die, ergo slightly A/U. Season 6
took place in 2000 instead of 2002. I
don't always get a chance to keep up with BtVS/Angel so I will be taking
liberties as necessary to fit the story.
Summary: Someone can't catch a break…..
Notes: Kevin and Willow/Sophie meet for the first time, and the foundation for their friendship is laid. This chapter is a bit shorter than normal, but I needed to stop here for chapter 5.
Chapter 4
Still January 2002
Sophie made it through the first two interviews, but there was one more hurdle she had to jump. One final meeting with Shane McMahon, the presumptive heir to the throne. Oh, she made it a point to learn about the WWE; it would have been stupid not to, but she couldn't call herself a fan. Last week was the first time she had even seen an episode of RAW or SmackDown!. Saving the world night after night had meant a sharp reduction in TV viewing time.
"Why am I thinking of that? Damn Angel for showing up and triggering memories that I want to bury! I was doing so well too."
Looking at the clock in her hotel room, she jumped. It was already 9 am and her final interview was in an hour. It had to go well, because she couldn't afford to stay in the hotel for much longer. Muttering to herself she headed towards the closet.
"Should I wear the black suit or the blue? Hmmm, the black…it seems more authoritative."
Giggling at how absurd those words seemed coming out of her mouth, she thought of Buffy and how excited the Slayer would be to see her out of the fuzzy sweaters and long skirts. Immediately her eyes clouded over. The pain of her best friend's death was still fresh. Wasn't it supposed to get better over time?
**************
Pushing the still-lingering thoughts of Buffy out of her mind, Sophie stepped through the doors of Titan Towers, signed in at the security desk and headed up to Shane McMahon's office.
"Shane will be ready for you in just a minute," said his executive assistant kindly. For all of the "feuding" and "fighting" that permeated WWE's product, its employees were essentially one big family.
"Thanks," Sophie replied with just a hint of nervousness. Just as she was about to sit down, the door to Shane's office opened and he walked out.
"Good morning Ms. McConnell. Come in."
She followed him in to his office, and as they both settled in she sized up the man that was going to decide her fate. He was tall, well built, and all in all not bad-looking. What appealed to her most, though, was the mischievous look around his eyes, and she visibly relaxed. This wasn't going to be an inquisition.
Shane noticed this and chuckled to himself. The redhead sitting in front of him certainly had the qualifications on paper, but he wanted to see how that translated in real life.
"So tell me why you think you can do this job? Working with politicians in DC is about as different from wrestling as you can get."
"Is it really? Actually I think they're more similar than either camp would like. If I can deal with the three-ring circus otherwise known as politics, then I can certainly deal with wrestling. It's much less violent," Sophie replied with barely suppressed humor.
The next half-hour passed quickly in a back and forth conversation that was as much for fun as for anything else. Shane liked what he saw; this one was going to fit in perfectly. What she didn't know about wrestling she would pick up quickly. The job was hers.
They were still chatting as they walked out of his office. His assistant caught Shane's attention and motioned towards a chair in the reception area; someone was waiting to speak with him. Before he could acknowledge the other man's presence, Sophie gasped.
"It's you! You called the tow truck for me, and then waited. But I never got your name, so I had no idea how to get in touch with you to thank you. And you're here, so now I can find out who you are…"
Shane and Kevin exchanged amused glances, each wondering if she was aware that she was babbling, but deciding it didn't matter. The little redhead had already made quite a favorable impression on both of them.
"Well, it looks like you two have already met, but let me take care of the formal introductions," said Shane, a smile working its way across his face. "Kevin Nash, meet Sophie McConnell, the new Public Relations Manager for World Wrestling Entertainment. Sophie, this is Kevin 'Big Sexy' Nash. He's getting ready to return to the WWE ring in the near future. In fact, the nWo's return will be your first big project."
"The n-w-what?"
Kevin burst out laughing. That was twice he'd been humbled by this woman. She hadn't recognized him when he stopped to help her with her car, and just now she failed to recognize the name of one of the most popular stables in wrestling—one that he helped create.
"The New World Order. We revolutionized the wrestling industry, if I may say so myself. Although at the time it was with a competing company that has since gone out of business. Now that our old contracts have expired, Vince is bringing us in as part of the angle with Ric Flair. We're going to be the 'poison' that destroys the WWE."
Sophie bit her lip to keep from smiling. He sounded so damn proud of himself.
"Oh, OK. You might have guessed that I don't know all that much about wrestling. Well, you're right, but you should have seen me last week. I knew even less," she cheekily shot back. "But I do learn quickly, and soon I'll be a walking encyclopedia."
Shane watched this exchange with amusement. It appeared that two of the newest WWE employees were going to get along just fine.
"Now that I've revealed my tendency to babble and my utter lack of wrestling knowledge to you, I still want to say thank you for stopping to help when my car broke down. You didn't have to do it, but it was very kind and I appreciate it."
"No problem. I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't stop to help a damsel in distress now would I?"
"Kev, the word 'gentleman' is one of the last I'd use to describe you," snorted Shane.
Kevin turned and skewered him with one of his glares, but Shane had to ruin it by grinning like an idiot.
"At least I don't whine about growing up on the mean streets of Greenwich, CT. What a hard life Shane O'Mac," he said, rolling his eyes. "Now amusing as this is, I really don't think Sophie wants to spend her day listening to us insult each other…."
In all honesty she didn't really mind. It kept her from thinking the depressing thoughts that had been with her since this morning. Laughing really did make her feel better—something closer to normal.
"No, that's fine. You two should really take this act on the road, and speaking of the road…I should be going. Kevin obviously stopped by to talk to you, and I really need to go find some more permanent living arrangements. Shane, it was a pleasure and I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise Sophie. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"Thanks, but I'm sure I'll be fine. And Kevin, one of these days I'd like to take you for lunch or dinner as thanks for helping me out. It's the least I can do and I won't take no for an answer."
Kevin pondered that for a moment, seemingly lost deep in thought. Then he flashed that infamous smile.
"How about now? I'm hungry, and you've got to be hungry…."
"But don't you need to speak to Shane?"
"Yeah, isn't that the reason you stopped by?" piped up Shane, although he didn't really mind. This was getting more interesting by the minute.
Kevin shrugged his broad shoulders. Sophie intrigued him, a whole helluva lot more than a discussion with Shane at this point.
"I did, but it can wait. It wasn't that important anyway. My stomach on the other hand is, so let's blow this popsicle stand."
She couldn't help it now. The laughter that had threatened to overtake her earlier now tumbled forth. Though only one person noticed that it didn't reach her eyes. He saved that bit of information for later.
"If you're sure, and only if the big bossman says it's OK. I don't need to be fired the same day I'm hired."
Shane and Kevin looked at each other again, overcome by another bout of guffawing. Sophie just looked perplexed.
"What? What did I say?"
Shane finally stopped laughing long enough to respond.
"Believe me, the Big Bossman has no say in the matter. It's fine by me though. Go. I've got a conference call in five minutes anyway. Have fun and I'll see the both of you later."
He watched as the two of them walked out the door. Something was happening, even if he wasn't sure exactly what it was. Did either one of them realize it?
Kevin, on the other hand, just wanted to know the cause of the pain he glimpsed in the depths of her green eyes. It was a pain that laughter couldn't even cover. Regardless, he was going to find out, and he was going to make it better.
Poor Sophie had no clue what the two men were thinking. She was still confused by the reaction to her earlier comment.
"Now would you mind explaining to me why you were practically rolling on the floor in hysterics? I don't think calling Shane the 'big bossman' was that funny."
"I'll tell you about it on the way to lunch. It looks like your wrestling history lessons are about to begin."
****************
Thanks to all who have given me feedback. It is definitely appreciated. Of course, I can always use more, so please let me know what you think.
