Disclaimer: None of the characters in the WWE belong to me. Neither does
the song which is by Anthony Stewart Head.
"Damn it Mark! I swear if you don't get here soon I'm gonna kill you!" Maranda hissed into the phone, waving a freshly manicured hand around.
"The flight was late! I can't help it. For gods sake! I'm changing into a monkey suit while Glen drives! What more do you want?!" Mark replied, tugging a crisp white shirt over his shoulders, and glaring at a snickering Glen in the front seat.
"Fine! I'll meet you there!" Maranda said and then sighed. "How long will you be?"
"The way Glen drives? Oh that's it! Glen pull over, I can't get these pants on!" Maranda giggled when she heard him tell the other man in the car to pull over. She heard a clatter, fumbling and a door open.
"Helloooooooooo?" She said in a sing song voice.
"I would give anything for a camera." Glen's voice startled her and she narrowed her eyes.
"Why?" She asked suspiciously. "There's a seven foot tall man, standing on the side of the road, hoping around pulling on tuxedo pants,."
"WHAT?!" Maranda asked her mouth dropping. "Oh shit!" Glen almost yelled.
"What, what, what?" Maranda was hopping up and down in her high heels afraid of what he was going to say. "Mark just got hit on.....by a guy!" The laughter on the other end of the line was almost drowned out by Mark's yelling.
"What happened?" She couldn't help the laughter that erupted.
"This guy pulled over to the side of the road and said 'Need any help big boy?'!" At this Maranda and Glen both started laughing; Maranda sat down on the arm of the sofa and held her sides.
"Uh-Oh."
"Now what?!" Maranda asked in shock.
"I think he's mad at me. OW! Okay now I know he's mad at me. He just smacked the hell outta me!" Glen whined and Maranda giggled.
"Give Big Boy the Phone." She ordered, forcing herself to be calm.
She heard the clatter of phones changing hand and then another OW from Glen. "Mark Calloway do NOT kill Glen! Get your ass here pronto!" She turned the phone off quickly before he could say anything or before he could her burst out laughing again.
Grabbing her sliver wrap she walked out into the night.
Half an hour later Maranda stood on the steps in front of the school, taping her foot in impatience. Sighing she looked around her at the decorations, it was truly beautiful, almost magical. A car pulled up but before she could tell who it was a hand tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around she rolled her eyes at the figure standing smirking evilly.
"Your date stand you up?" Alex asked coldly, his eyes traveling up her gown and fastening on her bust.
"No, he hasn't." A very deep baritone voice rumbled from behind her and she spun around launching herself into Marks arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly.
"Now look at the reception he gets. And she hasn't seen me for over a year." Glen sighed dramatically, stepping out of the car.
"Glen!" Disentangling herself from Mark she then proceeded to launch herself into Glens, albeit she didn't kiss him like she had Mark, instead kissing him nosily on the cheek.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." He said wrapping huge arms around her. He hugged her tightly then unwrapped his arms, holding her at arms length.
"Well well looks like someone grew into their body." He drawled grinning at the low growl at rumbled in Marks throat.
"You got that right." Mark muttered then turned his attention to the boy standing open mouthed at the exchange.
"Do you need something boy?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"This is the guy I was telling you about." Maranda stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder and smiling at Alex.
Glen stepped forward and stood at Maranda's other side, his arms crossing as well. "You mean the little prick that won't leave you alone?" He asked his eyes narrowing.
"Yep." She said cheerfully. "You-you-you're the Undertaker." Alex stuttered, his face ashen.
"Well the boy gets a prize." Mark drawled, and Maranda rolled her eyes.
"He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so it takes him awhile to catch onto a few things." She quipped grinning.
"Now run along, boy." Mark waved his hand dismissively and turned to Glen.
"You're staying at the house, right?" He asked.
"If you don't mind. I mean I don't want to intrude on anything." Glen grinned evilly and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Get!" Maranda said, turning bright red, pointing toward the car.
"I'm going, I'm going." He walked to the car and got in, still chuckling.
After he pulled off Maranda looked up at Mark. "Ready to go in?" She asked, noticing for the first time how different he looked. How he had managed to get into a tux doing eighty miles an hour she would never know, and yes she was certain that was the speed Glen had been doing, the man didn't know the meaning of the word speed limit. Setting aside the stopping on the side of the road and putting on his pant of course. Not a single one of his tattoos were visible, the crisp white shirt covered his wrists, and the collar covered his neck and throat, only a little bit of the grim reaper tattoo peeked over the top of the bright white on the back of his neck.
"I guess so." He said, smiling catching her looking at him. He offered her his arm and she looped hers through it. Smiling they both walked through the double doors and into the loud music filled room. Leaving a shocked and angry Alex in their wake.
A little while later while Mark had gone to get punch her three friends joined her at the table that she was sitting at.
"You look great." All of them said to each other, at the same time. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"So where's that big hunk of a man at?" Carmel asked, looking around.
"Punch." Maranda said.
"That's so sweet." Mary gushed.
"Ohhh, I love this song, we have got to do at least one group dance." Cici said jumping up and almost falling over her dress.
Maranda started to protest but was dragged to her feet and out onto the dance floor. Throwing her head back and laughing she began to move with the throbbing beat of the music, pulling the slightly full skirt of her dress up to her knees so that she wouldn't trip over it. Out of all the girls she made the most striking picture, head thrown back, lips curled into a smiled, and body moving sexily.
Mark walked back to the table two cups of strange green looking punch in his hand only to stop dead in his tracks when he reached the empty table. Maranda was n the middle of the dance floor with her friends, dress hiked up so far he could tell that she was wearing lacy silk stockings instead of pantyhose when she moved a certain way. He wanted to look away, god knows his poor body couldn't take much of the provocative dancing that he was witnessing, but he just couldn't. He hadn't realized the was staring until a hand tapped his shoulder. He turned around and looked at the person who had intruded.
A short blonde was smiling at him; well leering would be a more appropriate term. He sighed and nodded his head in the woman's direction. She was obviously not a student, she was forty if she was a day and wearing a dress that would have looked good on someone who actually had a figure and someone who was a little younger than herself.
"Hi! Are you chaperoning?" She asked cheerfully.
"No." Was his short reply.
"I'm Carla. What's your name?" She asked huskily and it took every ounce of will power he had not to laugh.
"Mark." Again his tone was short and terse. But the woman didn't seem to notice.
"Well you're obviously not someone's date; you're far too old for that. So are you a member of the band?" Carla asked, eyeing the huge, sexy man before her.
Mark opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by an arm slinking around his waist and a light kiss being placed on the back of his neck.
"Hey." Maranda murmured, coming from behind him and wrapping both arms around his waist.
Noticing the other woman she smiled brightly. "Hi Ms. Williams! I thought you weren't going to chaperone." Maranda didn't realize that her favorite teacher had just been hitting on her boyfriend, and smiled at Mark before kissing his jaw lightly.
"What the hell?!!" Carla asked loudly causing Maranda to snap back to reality.
"What?" She asked confused.
"Nothing baby, nothing at all." Mark soothed, bending slightly to kiss her on the lips. Hearing a slow song finally play, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor, leaving Carla gapping like a fish.
Leading her into the middle of the dance floor, people parted like the red sea, making way for the tall couple. In her five inch heels Maranda was still shorter than Mark but still had an advantage. He pulled her to him and slipped both arms around her waist, letting them meet behind her, while her arms wound around his neck and played with the short hairs her fingers found.
"This is nice." Maranda sighed, tucking her head underneath his chin.
"Yeah it is." Mark agreed, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
After a few minutes he put one finger under her chin and tilted her head up. "Know what else is nice?" He asked, placing his hand back around her waist before pulling her against him.
"What?" She whispered.
"Not breaking my back when I kiss someone." He murmured huskily, letting his lips barely touch hers. After several seconds he increased the pressure, his tongue delving deeply into the recesses of her mouth. He heard her whimper slightly and tighten her hold on his neck, bringing him even closer. Before things got totally out of hand he broke the kiss much to Maranda's dismay and disappointment, and rubbed his thumb over her lower lip.
"You look beautiful tonight. There's just one thing." He said, going to her hair. "You should never wear your hair up." He started pulling pins out of her hair until they were all gone. Running his fingers through the silky strands he smiled down at her. "If you did how could I do this?" He asked burying a hand in her hair and tugging her head back, crushing his lips to hers. This time gentleness was NOT part of the plan; both plundered each other mouths hungrily.
"Excuse me!" A sharp voice broke into their own little world and with a tiny sigh Maranda broke away, leveling whoever interrupted them with a glare.
"You know Public Displays of Affection aren't allowed on school grounds. That includes during prom night!" Carla informed them angrily.
"Look around, everyone's doing it!" Maranda protested, waving her hands at the kissing couples all around.
"Doesn't matter. They aren't doing it with someone old enough to be her father." She told them coldly and Maranda felt like ice water had been poured over her head.
"Watch your mouth lady." Mark growled, tightening his hold on the now trembling girl in his arms.
"I most certainly will not!" Carla hissed shrilly.
"At least Maranda isn't trying to be someone she isn't. If you want to talk about age, why don't you dress yours?" Mark said smoothly, his eyes sparkling like diamonds.
"Why you..." Carla didn't get to finish before Maranda cut her off.
"Don't worry Ms. Williams, we were just leaving. We have far more.......pressing things to do tonight. That is if big guy's ribs are healed?" Casting a smirking glance at Mark she saw the surprise in his eyes and the grin spreading across his face.
"They're healed enough." He drawled, his hand caressing her hip. Maranda giggled and cast another glance at Carla.
"Ohhhhhhhh goodie. We get to play tonight then." She said sexily, loving teasing him and angering the woman in front of her.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked, raising an eyebrow that would have done The Rock proud.
"I was thinking something along the lines of......wrestling." She replied. "You are after all so great at it vertically I just have to wonder how you are horizontally."
"Just imagine in ring ability times ten." He drawled, licking his lips.
"Someone's full of himself." Maranda quipped, chuckling. He leaned down and kissed her ear lobe.
"And soon you will be full of me." He muttered, feeling shivers go through her body at the implications of his words.
A few people clapping made Maranda's head snap up and made a deep crimsoned blush stain her cheeks. She turned and looked at the people who she found to be her friends and their dates. Thankfully they had been near the edge of the dance floor and no-one else had heard the conversation. But Maranda's friends being just that, her friends had walked over as soon as they had seen them getting harassed.
"Damn! Get a room!" Carmel laughed, reveling in her friends embarrassed expressions.
"Already have one." Mark said smiling.
"Then go there, NOW!" Mary instructed, giving her friend a wink.
"You know, that's a damn good idea." He agreed, taking Miranda by the hand all but dragging her away.
"Somebody's gonna get some." Cici said in a sing song voice at their retreating backs.
"Ya think?" Mary asked rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah I think our little Miss Innocent isn't going to be that innocent after tonight." Carmel said wiping away a fake tear. "It just brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?"
As they walked to the car Maranda felt Mark give her hand a gentle squeeze and knowing that he was trying to comfort her she smiled brightly at him. They both knew what was going to happen and they both wanted it.
Three weeks later Maranda sat curled on the sofa watching as Mark beat the living hell out of Brock Lesnar and smiled happily. Bliss would be the only word she could use to describe the way she felt. As soon as the match was over and he disappeared through the curtains she picked up the phone and counted down on her fingers from ten. On one it rang and she laughed before answering it.
"Hey baby." Was the first thing she said knowing who it was.
"Hey yourself." Mark answered still breathing heavily from the match only moments before.
"You looked good out there tonight. Remind me to thank Brock for ripping off your shirt." She purred, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"I miss you." He said the sound of a door closing signaling that he was in the dressing room.
"I miss you to." She whined.
"Tell you what; you're out for spring break, how about you travel with me for the next two weeks?" He asked.
Her delighted squeal was her answer and he chuckled deeply into the phone. "Is that a yes?" He asked jokingly.
"Yes!" She shouted happily.
"I thought so. When do you want to leave?" He asked, sitting down on a bench.
"Now?" Was her innocent sounding reply.
"No can do sweetheart. The earliest is tomorrow at noon." He laughed again. He had never laughed so much in his entire life and it felt great!
"Works for me." She paused and gave a loud curse.
"What is it?" He asked concerned.
"Okay babe just give me the flight number and let me go pack. I gotta call Carmel, Mary, Cici and Lisa." She rushed and he shook his head. Women and their gossiping.
"Alright hold on." He sat the phone down and looked at Glen who was on his cell phone to the airline. He made a hurry it up motion and the other man rolled his eyes. The American Badass was whipped. He mouthed the number to Mark and shut his phone.
"Flight 311. I'll leave a key for you at the front desk along with a picture so they will know you are who you say you are. There will be a backstage pass for you as well, come to the arena as soon as you get rested and settled"
"Okay baby. Damn I wish I had more time to pack." Maranda moaned into the phone. Mentally going over her wardrobe, which had grown by leaps and bounds in the last few weeks.
"I'll let you go and pack. I love you." He muttered quietly, so quietly that she didn't know if she had heard it at all.
"I love you to." She whispered back. She thought she heard a deep sigh of relief before the phone disconnected and smiled at the phone for a few minutes. The she started call friends, making it as quick as possible to tell them where she would be and how long she would be gone. Then she jumped up from the sofa and went to pack.
It was strange having someone meet you in an Airport terminal with a sign with your name on it. Even strange was the limo waiting for her when she retrieved her baggage and followed the little man out. The ride to the hotel was made in silence and she was thankful when the driver opened her door, got out her luggage and followed her into the hotel. Striding up to the front desk she smiled at the slightly snobbish looking woman and took out her driver's license.
"Mark Calloway said he would leave a key here for me." She said pleasantly, sliding the ID across the polished marble.
"Just a second." The woman rolled her eyes, sure it was just another ring rat trying to get into a wrestlers room but then she looked through the envelopes and came across one with Mark Callaway's name on it. She opened it and pulled out a key card and backstage pass then feeling something else in the envelope shook a picture out. Staring at her frozen in time was the same girl, her tongue stuck out and with her arm around Mark who had a huge smile on his face. In shock she took another look at the girl then at her ID. It was her.
"Sorry for the wait ma'am." She said pleasantly, finally smiling at Maranda.
"No problem. Thought I was a ring rat huh?" She asked and walked away, leaving the woman chuckling in her wake.
The driver started to follow her up but she stoped him.
"I'm a big girl. I can do all this by my self." She smiled and took her bags from him and stepped into the elevator.
Walking down the hall she spotted a drink machine and looked at the choices of cola longingly. Deciding to put her bags in the room and then get one she put the key card between her teeth and shifted her bags. Taking it from between her teeth she slid it into the lock opened the door and literaly threw the bags across the room before shutting the door and walking back to the drink machine. Looking at her choices she finally decided on a Coke and went back to the room, wanting to clean up and change clothes before going to the arena.
A couple of hours, a short nap, and a clothes change later Maranda stood before security showing her pass to the guard and fighting the urge to slap the silly grin off his face when he looked at her chest. With the outfit she was wearing she expected to get a few looks considering that she was wearing a white corset top with a pair of jeans that fit like a second skin and a pair of boots that added four inches to her height. But this was ridiculous.
"You can go in." He told her a leering grin on his face.
"Thanks." She said tersely, brushing past him and ignoring the low whistle he gave. Walking through the halls she saw a lot of faces she knew and the rest she only knew from T.V. Giving up on ever finding the locker room she grabbed the first person she saw and it just happened to be Dwayne Johnson, A.K.A. The Rock.
"Dwayne where the hell is Marks dressing room?" She asked, shoving her hair out of face in annoyance. For a second he didn't know who she was but when she smiled he grabbed her in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground.
"Randy!" He hugged her and Maranda patted him on the back.
"Need. Air." She gasped and he sat her back on her feet, grinning like the nut he was.
"So this is why he has been walking around like a mad man." He said giving her the people's eyebrow. "Yeah I guess so. So where is it?" She asked.
"Go straight down the hall and it's the one with Deadman Inc. on the door." He gave her another grin and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Thanks" She gave him a wink and walked off.
As she did Test walked up and looked at Maranda's retreating back side. He gave a whistle and then looked at Dwayne.
"If I didn't know better I would say that was Marks daughter." He commented and Dwayne's head snapped in his direction then he burst out laughing.
"Daughter?!" He managed to gasp out between fits of laughter.
''Yeah, she's tall, red hair, and she is going in his dressing room." Andrew was totally confused by his reaction.
"Man if that were his daughter what they are doing would be illegal in every state." Again Dwayne doubled over laughing again.
"You mean........?"
"Yes I mean..........." Dwayne rolled his eyes and walked away still laughing.
Maranda walked into the dressing room just as Mark was coming out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, his wet hair spiky and water clinging to his lashes.
"Hey baby." Maranda said quietly. His head jerked up and a grin spread across his face.
"Hey sweetheart." He held out his arms and she went into them. Forgetting that the white corset she was wearing was silk. She felt the water soak through to her skin and then remembered what she was wearing.
"Damn." She muttered kissing him lightly.
"What?"
"This thing's silk." She muttered again, untangling herself from his embrace.
'Who cares?" He mumbled pulling her back into his arms.
"I care. Plus you have a match in a little while." She said, giving him one last peck.
"Fine be that way." He gave a mock look of annoyance and dropped the towel. Maranda grinned broadly and started digging through his bags. Coming across his vinyl pants she threw them at him, letting them hit him in the face.
Suddenly the door flew open and Brock Lesnar walked through the door.
"Damn it Brock. Don't you know the meaning of the word knock?" He asked and the younger man shrugged.
"It's just a ring rat." He said, giving Maranda a leer and the once over. Before he knew it Mark had him backed against the door his hand wrapped around his throat.
"RING RAT?!" Mark yelled.
"Man I saw her go into your room. It's alright we all do it." Brock gasped out, trying to claw his way out of the larger mans grip.
"She isn't a fucking ring rat! You will say you're sorry RIGHT NOW!" Tightening his grip Mark glared at him, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits, his breathing erratic.
"Mark he can't breathe." Maranda laid a hand on his shoulder, trying to get his attention.
"Do you know what he called you?" He spat out angrily.
"Honey, you have to let him go. He's turning purple." She shook her head knowing that it was going to take more than that to get him to let him go.
"Mark let him go now!" She said harshly, causing him to drop Brock heavily to the ground. She sighed with relief and smiled slightly at him.
"Babe you know that people that don't know me would think I was a ring rat going into your room. It's a mistake, nothing more." She soothed, rubbing his arm.
"I'm sorry." Mark raked a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Get out." He growled to the man lying in a heap on the floor. Brock struggled to his feet and stumbled out of the dressing room, coughing.
He heard giggling and turned around to ask her what the hell was so funny. She took one look at him and sat on the sofa, shaking her head.
"Mark put on some pants." She said, still laughing. Looking down at himself he saw that he was indeed still without clothes on. For the first time in his life he blushed to the roots of his hair.
"Good idea." He picked the pants up that had fallen on the floor and disappeared into the bathroom. Maranda stuck her head into the still steamy room and looked around.
"I'm hungry babe, I'm going to go get a snack." She told him, walking up behind him.
"Alright. Just stay away from Brock." He told her nodding in the mirror.
"I'll be back in a few. Love you." She kissed him quickly and disappeared out of the room.
Walking down the hall she didn't notice that she had gained an admirer. Humming softly to herself suddenly she broke into a soft song. Her voice floating through the halls quietly stopping many people in their tracks.
I saw a man sitting on a hillside
Watching the soil bake dry
Looking across at the rain clouds forming
In another man's sky
As the sun beat's down, relentless
On his crops, withered and dying
While the raindrops fall on another man's land
Maranda sang as she picked up a plate and started picking her favorite fresh fruits and vegetables. Her voice had gained momentum and rose with each word. Superstars and employees alike started to gather around her.
One man's rain
The same desert, the same god
And it only rain's once a year
Why is one man blessed with plenty
While the other's left to scratch in the dirt?
One man's rain, means another man's famine
One man's sky is another man's earth
One man's riches leave another man poorer
One man's temple mocks another man's faith
One man's gain leave's another without
The song wasn't finished but Maranda stopped singing to pop a strawberry into her mouth. Applause erupted around her and she spun around, blushing a bright red crimsoned.
"You've gotten better." Amy Dumas commented, stepping forward to embrace the surprised girl.
"I can't believe this. I'm so embarrassed." Maranda groaned, hiding her face in Amy's shoulder. She patted her back and chuckled.
"Girl you have the voice of an angel. Of course people are going to notice." She told her forcing her to show her red face.
Looking around Maranda groaned and shook her head. "Stop looking at me like that!" She burst out, glaring at all the people. They all smiled and slowly began to walk away, a few walked up and complimented her on her singing abilities and she just stood there, mortified.
Everyone had finally disappeared, all except Amy, matt and Jeff. Truth be told the singing was a way to get her mind off the gut wrenching pain that was tearing its way through her abdomen. Grimacing at the pain she sat down in a chair and started to massage her temples.
"Hey it's not that bad.' Matt commented to which she answered with an angry glare. Amy cocked her head to the side and looked at her sudden realization dawning on her.
"Ahhh. I see. Pale face, slight bloating. I have some Pamprin in my locker if you want it. And chocolate." She offered helpfully.
"Really? Oh thank god! I packed so fast last night that I forgot to pack anything!" Maranda said meaningfully and Amy nodded.
"No problem. I'll even have the guys go on another chocolate run." She turned back to Team extreme and they both looked surprised.
"Oh god! Now we have two!" Jeff said in a mock horrified voice. "Quick Matt, lets get out of here. Give me the Big Show, give me Triple H, hell give me the Fabulous Moolah! Just don't give me two women with PMS." He grabbed his brother by the front of his shirt and pretended to shield himself by pulling him in front of him.
"Ha, bloody, Ha." Maranda muttered rolling her eyes. She really did feel like hell, her stomach felt like someone was sticking a hot poker into it, her head ached, her back hurt, and her clothes didn't fit right. Plus the mood swings were horrible, one minute she was happy as a lark, the next she felt like tearing into the first person that looked at her wrong.
"Sorry." Jeff muttered afraid of what might happen if he didn't apologize. They had been on the receiving end of one of Amy's temper during that time of the month. They had both gotten chewed out but it had been Matt that had eaten her last chocolate bar.
"We're outta here ladies." Matt grabbed his brother by the shoulder and hauled him out the door. Maranda and Amy looked at each other before bursting out laughing.
"I'll go get you those meds and chocolate. Be back in a few." Amy told her, still grinning. Maranda nodded her thanks and stood to her feet, stretching her arms over her head, rolling her head back and closing her eyes. When she opened them she saw a blond haired man leering at her. She recognized him as Chris Nowinski, and she only preyed that he was a little bit more likeable out of the ring than he was in.
"Damn. Now that's what I call prime choice." He muttered, giving a low whistle. No such luck, he was an even bigger jerk out of it would appear.
"Look I'm not feeling well. So please just go away." She practically begged, taking a step back as he took one forward.
"You're new." He stated.
"No. You just don't know me. If you did you wouldn't be pushing your luck." She snapped.
"Oh feisty." He reached out with a hand and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. "I like that." He muttered backing her into a corner.
From a distance it looked like the two were sharing an intimate moment alone and that was exactly what Mark thought it was. He cursed and stormed back down the hall, fury burning in his eyes.
Maranda smiled slightly as Chris ran a finger down her cheek. He let his guard down long enough and her smile grew wider. She slammed her knee into his groin then into his chin when he bent at the waist, with one hand she pushed and he fell hard to the floor.
"Idiot." She muttered as he fell to the ground gasping. She stalked back to Marks dressing room, silently fuming but putting a smile on her face as soon as she walked in.
"Mark? Babe are you here?" She called, taking a step back when he walked out of the dressing room. A rage like none she had ever seen glittering in his eyes and blood ripping from his knuckles.
"What's wrong?" She asked alarmed.
"Did you have fun?" He hissed, advancing on her.
"Mark what the hell is wrong with you"? She asked, suddenly scared.
"I saw you with Nowinski." He bit out harshly taking her by the shoulders. "You're just like your sister." He said coldly. Pure rage flashed in Maranda's eyes at his words and she wrenched out of his grasp. Before she could stop herself her hand flew to his face and hit him as hard as she could, causing him to stumble a bit and his head to snap to the side, leaving a white mark shining on his cheek.
"Was that before or after I kneed him in the balls?!" She demanded angrily, tears starting to form in her eyes at his assumption. Surprise flashed across his face soon followed by regret. He opened his mouth then snapped it shut when she held her hand up.
"When you finally get it through your thick head that I'm not my sister I'll be with Glen." She yelled, storming out before he could stop her. He sat down and buried his face in his hands berating himself for acting like an idiot. After a few minutes he jumped up and ran as fast as his legs would carry him to one of the main dressing rooms that Glen was sharing with two other superstars. He didn't pause to knock as he barreled into the room coming face to face with a flustered looking Glen, Andrew, and Dwayne. Glen sat to the side, in full gear, his mask hanging limply from his hand, Dwayne was sitting to the other side in nothing but a pair of jeans, Andrew on the other hand looked scared out of his mind.
"Where is she?" He growled and Glen shook his head.
"Gone." He snapped, sitting on a bench.
"What do you mean gone?!" He bellowed and Glen's head snapped up.
"Look man, when a six foot tall red head with PMS barges into your dressing room ranting that she is going to rip her boyfriends balls off and shove them down his throat and then demands your room key, you damn well give it to her and you do NOT ask questions." Glen explained and Mark shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.
"I have never in my life been afraid of a woman, but that girl scared me." Andrew said.
"Man you haven't seen her when she's jonesing for chocolate. Now THAT'S scary." Glen told him shaking his head slightly.
"What the hell did you do to piss her off?" He asked, looking his best friend in the eye. Mark sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I accused her of cheating on me." He mumbled.
"You did WHAT?" Dwayne demanded, his eyes going wide.
"Yeah stupid I know, but with the whole Sara thing..........." He stopped when Amy burst through the door and promptly slapped him on the back of the head.
"You know, all men are stupid, but you have got to be the stupidest of them all!" She said hotly, hitting him in the head again. "I saw Maranda a few minutes ago storming out of the building when I stopped her she whirled around and almost decked me, and then she told me the whole story. I swear if I were a man I would beat the living shit outta you!" She glared at him and he had the good grace to look embarrassed and to drop his eyes to the floor.
"A piece of advice for you Mark, trust her. She loves you and I swear I am not seeing why right now." She told him coldly, turning to walk out, she pause and grinned evilly in his direction.
"You might want to go check on your bike, that's where she was headed when I last saw her." She shot back over her shoulder and walked out. The four men in the locker room looked at each other for a few seconds before all of them bolted toward the door and started running down the hall. Mark because he was hoping she was still around so he could apologize and the other three to see if she had actually stolen his bike. One thing about Mark, you didn't mess with his
bike, no matter who you were. They made a strange sight, three seven footers running flat out down the corridors, and one shorter man keeping pace and grinning like a mad man. It took only a few minutes to come to the in door park garage and when they did the first thing they saw was a security guard looking shocked, and holding his midsection. They all skidded to a halt where the bike was suppose to be parked, now only one thin skid mark showing where she had taken off.
"She stole my bike." Mark said in disbelief, his eyes going wide.
"I couldn't do anything to stop her Mr. Calloway I swear. I tried and she kicked me in the stomach, and then told me to 'fuck off'." The man explained, looking at Mark in fear.
"She stole my bike." He muttered again, almost like he was in a trance. Glen looked at the Andrew and Dwayne and grinned.
"I think he's in shock." He said flatly, patting Mark on the back. Then to their surprise and to the group that had gathered around them he started to laugh. Not a slight chuckle but a full out belly laugh.
"Man, you okay?" Andrew asked worriedly. Mark could only nod as he looked in the general direction of where she had gone.
"That girl has balls." One of the superstars whispered as they watched in shock as Mark turned to Glen.
"Can I borrow your car and your spare key card?" He asked.
"Sure." He took the keys from his pocket and tossed them to him. Mark turned and was about to walk away when he heard a loud whistle.
"Take her this!" Amy told him, tossing him a package. He caught it and inspected it, then promptly dropped it to the floor. A package of light green and pink tampons was the offending item.
"No way in hell!" He roared and Amy laughed.
"Yes way. Take them to her or stop by the store." She tapped her chin thoughtfully and grinned at him. "I have always wondered what the American Badass would look like buying tampons." Amy laughed when he quickly bent to retrieve the package off the floor and she dug back into the pockets of her cargo jeans.
"Oh and these." She tossed him a bottle which he caught with apprehension. Sighing he nodded his head and pocketed the bottle of pamprin.
"If you really want to get on her good side buy her chocolate before you go back or you might wind up minus a vital part of your male anatomy." Trish advised, grinning from ear to ear.
"Okay who doesn't know that I just had my bike stolen by an eight-teen year old girl?" He asked exasperated, throwing his hands up in the air. Everyone, which included most of the WWE locker room shrugged and looked at the infallible Mark Calloway with slight smiles on their faces.
"I give up!" He sighed, turning and walking away. When he got in the car and drove off everyone looked at each other.
"Think it's safe?" Andrew asked. Glen nodded his head and as one everyone burst out laughing.
"She's got him whipped!" Stephanie said, giggling.
"Wrapped around her perfectly manicure little finger." Stacy agreed.
"I don't know what you're all laughing at. That girl's just mean!" Chris Nowinski bellowed walking to the center of the group.
"Maranda doesn't have a mean bone in her body." Glen said shaking his head then cocked it to the side in typical Kane fashion. "Unless you piss her off." He muttered then narrowed his eyes. "What did you do to her?!" He demanded.
The younger man took several steps back and looked around wide eyed. "Nothing!" He squeaked and at the disbelieving faces he sighed. "Okay so I hit on her."
"And......" Amy prompted.
"Tried to kiss her." He muttered. "She kicked your ass didn't she?" Dwayne asked.
"It's about time." Molly Holly muttered.
"Never mess with a woman with PMS. Especially when she just happens to be Mark Callaway's girlfriend and has one hell of a right hook." Jeff said, eyeing the other man with pity.
"Oh man, I don't know who to feel sorrier for, you or Mark." Glen shook his head and glanced over at Nowinski who looked about ready to explode.
"Before you think about trying to get back at her just remember most of us have know that girl since she was fourteen and she's like a baby sister to us. If Mark doesn't hurt you believe me I will. Stay away from her." He threatened watching the rookie back away then turn and disappear into the locker room.
"Right now I'm feeling sorrier for Mark. What is he going to walk in on?" He muttered to Dwayne.
"Man that's for him to find out and for us to hope to god we never do." He answered walking with his back into the arena.
"Damn it Mark! I swear if you don't get here soon I'm gonna kill you!" Maranda hissed into the phone, waving a freshly manicured hand around.
"The flight was late! I can't help it. For gods sake! I'm changing into a monkey suit while Glen drives! What more do you want?!" Mark replied, tugging a crisp white shirt over his shoulders, and glaring at a snickering Glen in the front seat.
"Fine! I'll meet you there!" Maranda said and then sighed. "How long will you be?"
"The way Glen drives? Oh that's it! Glen pull over, I can't get these pants on!" Maranda giggled when she heard him tell the other man in the car to pull over. She heard a clatter, fumbling and a door open.
"Helloooooooooo?" She said in a sing song voice.
"I would give anything for a camera." Glen's voice startled her and she narrowed her eyes.
"Why?" She asked suspiciously. "There's a seven foot tall man, standing on the side of the road, hoping around pulling on tuxedo pants,."
"WHAT?!" Maranda asked her mouth dropping. "Oh shit!" Glen almost yelled.
"What, what, what?" Maranda was hopping up and down in her high heels afraid of what he was going to say. "Mark just got hit on.....by a guy!" The laughter on the other end of the line was almost drowned out by Mark's yelling.
"What happened?" She couldn't help the laughter that erupted.
"This guy pulled over to the side of the road and said 'Need any help big boy?'!" At this Maranda and Glen both started laughing; Maranda sat down on the arm of the sofa and held her sides.
"Uh-Oh."
"Now what?!" Maranda asked in shock.
"I think he's mad at me. OW! Okay now I know he's mad at me. He just smacked the hell outta me!" Glen whined and Maranda giggled.
"Give Big Boy the Phone." She ordered, forcing herself to be calm.
She heard the clatter of phones changing hand and then another OW from Glen. "Mark Calloway do NOT kill Glen! Get your ass here pronto!" She turned the phone off quickly before he could say anything or before he could her burst out laughing again.
Grabbing her sliver wrap she walked out into the night.
Half an hour later Maranda stood on the steps in front of the school, taping her foot in impatience. Sighing she looked around her at the decorations, it was truly beautiful, almost magical. A car pulled up but before she could tell who it was a hand tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around she rolled her eyes at the figure standing smirking evilly.
"Your date stand you up?" Alex asked coldly, his eyes traveling up her gown and fastening on her bust.
"No, he hasn't." A very deep baritone voice rumbled from behind her and she spun around launching herself into Marks arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly.
"Now look at the reception he gets. And she hasn't seen me for over a year." Glen sighed dramatically, stepping out of the car.
"Glen!" Disentangling herself from Mark she then proceeded to launch herself into Glens, albeit she didn't kiss him like she had Mark, instead kissing him nosily on the cheek.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." He said wrapping huge arms around her. He hugged her tightly then unwrapped his arms, holding her at arms length.
"Well well looks like someone grew into their body." He drawled grinning at the low growl at rumbled in Marks throat.
"You got that right." Mark muttered then turned his attention to the boy standing open mouthed at the exchange.
"Do you need something boy?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"This is the guy I was telling you about." Maranda stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder and smiling at Alex.
Glen stepped forward and stood at Maranda's other side, his arms crossing as well. "You mean the little prick that won't leave you alone?" He asked his eyes narrowing.
"Yep." She said cheerfully. "You-you-you're the Undertaker." Alex stuttered, his face ashen.
"Well the boy gets a prize." Mark drawled, and Maranda rolled her eyes.
"He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so it takes him awhile to catch onto a few things." She quipped grinning.
"Now run along, boy." Mark waved his hand dismissively and turned to Glen.
"You're staying at the house, right?" He asked.
"If you don't mind. I mean I don't want to intrude on anything." Glen grinned evilly and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Get!" Maranda said, turning bright red, pointing toward the car.
"I'm going, I'm going." He walked to the car and got in, still chuckling.
After he pulled off Maranda looked up at Mark. "Ready to go in?" She asked, noticing for the first time how different he looked. How he had managed to get into a tux doing eighty miles an hour she would never know, and yes she was certain that was the speed Glen had been doing, the man didn't know the meaning of the word speed limit. Setting aside the stopping on the side of the road and putting on his pant of course. Not a single one of his tattoos were visible, the crisp white shirt covered his wrists, and the collar covered his neck and throat, only a little bit of the grim reaper tattoo peeked over the top of the bright white on the back of his neck.
"I guess so." He said, smiling catching her looking at him. He offered her his arm and she looped hers through it. Smiling they both walked through the double doors and into the loud music filled room. Leaving a shocked and angry Alex in their wake.
A little while later while Mark had gone to get punch her three friends joined her at the table that she was sitting at.
"You look great." All of them said to each other, at the same time. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"So where's that big hunk of a man at?" Carmel asked, looking around.
"Punch." Maranda said.
"That's so sweet." Mary gushed.
"Ohhh, I love this song, we have got to do at least one group dance." Cici said jumping up and almost falling over her dress.
Maranda started to protest but was dragged to her feet and out onto the dance floor. Throwing her head back and laughing she began to move with the throbbing beat of the music, pulling the slightly full skirt of her dress up to her knees so that she wouldn't trip over it. Out of all the girls she made the most striking picture, head thrown back, lips curled into a smiled, and body moving sexily.
Mark walked back to the table two cups of strange green looking punch in his hand only to stop dead in his tracks when he reached the empty table. Maranda was n the middle of the dance floor with her friends, dress hiked up so far he could tell that she was wearing lacy silk stockings instead of pantyhose when she moved a certain way. He wanted to look away, god knows his poor body couldn't take much of the provocative dancing that he was witnessing, but he just couldn't. He hadn't realized the was staring until a hand tapped his shoulder. He turned around and looked at the person who had intruded.
A short blonde was smiling at him; well leering would be a more appropriate term. He sighed and nodded his head in the woman's direction. She was obviously not a student, she was forty if she was a day and wearing a dress that would have looked good on someone who actually had a figure and someone who was a little younger than herself.
"Hi! Are you chaperoning?" She asked cheerfully.
"No." Was his short reply.
"I'm Carla. What's your name?" She asked huskily and it took every ounce of will power he had not to laugh.
"Mark." Again his tone was short and terse. But the woman didn't seem to notice.
"Well you're obviously not someone's date; you're far too old for that. So are you a member of the band?" Carla asked, eyeing the huge, sexy man before her.
Mark opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by an arm slinking around his waist and a light kiss being placed on the back of his neck.
"Hey." Maranda murmured, coming from behind him and wrapping both arms around his waist.
Noticing the other woman she smiled brightly. "Hi Ms. Williams! I thought you weren't going to chaperone." Maranda didn't realize that her favorite teacher had just been hitting on her boyfriend, and smiled at Mark before kissing his jaw lightly.
"What the hell?!!" Carla asked loudly causing Maranda to snap back to reality.
"What?" She asked confused.
"Nothing baby, nothing at all." Mark soothed, bending slightly to kiss her on the lips. Hearing a slow song finally play, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor, leaving Carla gapping like a fish.
Leading her into the middle of the dance floor, people parted like the red sea, making way for the tall couple. In her five inch heels Maranda was still shorter than Mark but still had an advantage. He pulled her to him and slipped both arms around her waist, letting them meet behind her, while her arms wound around his neck and played with the short hairs her fingers found.
"This is nice." Maranda sighed, tucking her head underneath his chin.
"Yeah it is." Mark agreed, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
After a few minutes he put one finger under her chin and tilted her head up. "Know what else is nice?" He asked, placing his hand back around her waist before pulling her against him.
"What?" She whispered.
"Not breaking my back when I kiss someone." He murmured huskily, letting his lips barely touch hers. After several seconds he increased the pressure, his tongue delving deeply into the recesses of her mouth. He heard her whimper slightly and tighten her hold on his neck, bringing him even closer. Before things got totally out of hand he broke the kiss much to Maranda's dismay and disappointment, and rubbed his thumb over her lower lip.
"You look beautiful tonight. There's just one thing." He said, going to her hair. "You should never wear your hair up." He started pulling pins out of her hair until they were all gone. Running his fingers through the silky strands he smiled down at her. "If you did how could I do this?" He asked burying a hand in her hair and tugging her head back, crushing his lips to hers. This time gentleness was NOT part of the plan; both plundered each other mouths hungrily.
"Excuse me!" A sharp voice broke into their own little world and with a tiny sigh Maranda broke away, leveling whoever interrupted them with a glare.
"You know Public Displays of Affection aren't allowed on school grounds. That includes during prom night!" Carla informed them angrily.
"Look around, everyone's doing it!" Maranda protested, waving her hands at the kissing couples all around.
"Doesn't matter. They aren't doing it with someone old enough to be her father." She told them coldly and Maranda felt like ice water had been poured over her head.
"Watch your mouth lady." Mark growled, tightening his hold on the now trembling girl in his arms.
"I most certainly will not!" Carla hissed shrilly.
"At least Maranda isn't trying to be someone she isn't. If you want to talk about age, why don't you dress yours?" Mark said smoothly, his eyes sparkling like diamonds.
"Why you..." Carla didn't get to finish before Maranda cut her off.
"Don't worry Ms. Williams, we were just leaving. We have far more.......pressing things to do tonight. That is if big guy's ribs are healed?" Casting a smirking glance at Mark she saw the surprise in his eyes and the grin spreading across his face.
"They're healed enough." He drawled, his hand caressing her hip. Maranda giggled and cast another glance at Carla.
"Ohhhhhhhh goodie. We get to play tonight then." She said sexily, loving teasing him and angering the woman in front of her.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked, raising an eyebrow that would have done The Rock proud.
"I was thinking something along the lines of......wrestling." She replied. "You are after all so great at it vertically I just have to wonder how you are horizontally."
"Just imagine in ring ability times ten." He drawled, licking his lips.
"Someone's full of himself." Maranda quipped, chuckling. He leaned down and kissed her ear lobe.
"And soon you will be full of me." He muttered, feeling shivers go through her body at the implications of his words.
A few people clapping made Maranda's head snap up and made a deep crimsoned blush stain her cheeks. She turned and looked at the people who she found to be her friends and their dates. Thankfully they had been near the edge of the dance floor and no-one else had heard the conversation. But Maranda's friends being just that, her friends had walked over as soon as they had seen them getting harassed.
"Damn! Get a room!" Carmel laughed, reveling in her friends embarrassed expressions.
"Already have one." Mark said smiling.
"Then go there, NOW!" Mary instructed, giving her friend a wink.
"You know, that's a damn good idea." He agreed, taking Miranda by the hand all but dragging her away.
"Somebody's gonna get some." Cici said in a sing song voice at their retreating backs.
"Ya think?" Mary asked rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah I think our little Miss Innocent isn't going to be that innocent after tonight." Carmel said wiping away a fake tear. "It just brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?"
As they walked to the car Maranda felt Mark give her hand a gentle squeeze and knowing that he was trying to comfort her she smiled brightly at him. They both knew what was going to happen and they both wanted it.
Three weeks later Maranda sat curled on the sofa watching as Mark beat the living hell out of Brock Lesnar and smiled happily. Bliss would be the only word she could use to describe the way she felt. As soon as the match was over and he disappeared through the curtains she picked up the phone and counted down on her fingers from ten. On one it rang and she laughed before answering it.
"Hey baby." Was the first thing she said knowing who it was.
"Hey yourself." Mark answered still breathing heavily from the match only moments before.
"You looked good out there tonight. Remind me to thank Brock for ripping off your shirt." She purred, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"I miss you." He said the sound of a door closing signaling that he was in the dressing room.
"I miss you to." She whined.
"Tell you what; you're out for spring break, how about you travel with me for the next two weeks?" He asked.
Her delighted squeal was her answer and he chuckled deeply into the phone. "Is that a yes?" He asked jokingly.
"Yes!" She shouted happily.
"I thought so. When do you want to leave?" He asked, sitting down on a bench.
"Now?" Was her innocent sounding reply.
"No can do sweetheart. The earliest is tomorrow at noon." He laughed again. He had never laughed so much in his entire life and it felt great!
"Works for me." She paused and gave a loud curse.
"What is it?" He asked concerned.
"Okay babe just give me the flight number and let me go pack. I gotta call Carmel, Mary, Cici and Lisa." She rushed and he shook his head. Women and their gossiping.
"Alright hold on." He sat the phone down and looked at Glen who was on his cell phone to the airline. He made a hurry it up motion and the other man rolled his eyes. The American Badass was whipped. He mouthed the number to Mark and shut his phone.
"Flight 311. I'll leave a key for you at the front desk along with a picture so they will know you are who you say you are. There will be a backstage pass for you as well, come to the arena as soon as you get rested and settled"
"Okay baby. Damn I wish I had more time to pack." Maranda moaned into the phone. Mentally going over her wardrobe, which had grown by leaps and bounds in the last few weeks.
"I'll let you go and pack. I love you." He muttered quietly, so quietly that she didn't know if she had heard it at all.
"I love you to." She whispered back. She thought she heard a deep sigh of relief before the phone disconnected and smiled at the phone for a few minutes. The she started call friends, making it as quick as possible to tell them where she would be and how long she would be gone. Then she jumped up from the sofa and went to pack.
It was strange having someone meet you in an Airport terminal with a sign with your name on it. Even strange was the limo waiting for her when she retrieved her baggage and followed the little man out. The ride to the hotel was made in silence and she was thankful when the driver opened her door, got out her luggage and followed her into the hotel. Striding up to the front desk she smiled at the slightly snobbish looking woman and took out her driver's license.
"Mark Calloway said he would leave a key here for me." She said pleasantly, sliding the ID across the polished marble.
"Just a second." The woman rolled her eyes, sure it was just another ring rat trying to get into a wrestlers room but then she looked through the envelopes and came across one with Mark Callaway's name on it. She opened it and pulled out a key card and backstage pass then feeling something else in the envelope shook a picture out. Staring at her frozen in time was the same girl, her tongue stuck out and with her arm around Mark who had a huge smile on his face. In shock she took another look at the girl then at her ID. It was her.
"Sorry for the wait ma'am." She said pleasantly, finally smiling at Maranda.
"No problem. Thought I was a ring rat huh?" She asked and walked away, leaving the woman chuckling in her wake.
The driver started to follow her up but she stoped him.
"I'm a big girl. I can do all this by my self." She smiled and took her bags from him and stepped into the elevator.
Walking down the hall she spotted a drink machine and looked at the choices of cola longingly. Deciding to put her bags in the room and then get one she put the key card between her teeth and shifted her bags. Taking it from between her teeth she slid it into the lock opened the door and literaly threw the bags across the room before shutting the door and walking back to the drink machine. Looking at her choices she finally decided on a Coke and went back to the room, wanting to clean up and change clothes before going to the arena.
A couple of hours, a short nap, and a clothes change later Maranda stood before security showing her pass to the guard and fighting the urge to slap the silly grin off his face when he looked at her chest. With the outfit she was wearing she expected to get a few looks considering that she was wearing a white corset top with a pair of jeans that fit like a second skin and a pair of boots that added four inches to her height. But this was ridiculous.
"You can go in." He told her a leering grin on his face.
"Thanks." She said tersely, brushing past him and ignoring the low whistle he gave. Walking through the halls she saw a lot of faces she knew and the rest she only knew from T.V. Giving up on ever finding the locker room she grabbed the first person she saw and it just happened to be Dwayne Johnson, A.K.A. The Rock.
"Dwayne where the hell is Marks dressing room?" She asked, shoving her hair out of face in annoyance. For a second he didn't know who she was but when she smiled he grabbed her in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground.
"Randy!" He hugged her and Maranda patted him on the back.
"Need. Air." She gasped and he sat her back on her feet, grinning like the nut he was.
"So this is why he has been walking around like a mad man." He said giving her the people's eyebrow. "Yeah I guess so. So where is it?" She asked.
"Go straight down the hall and it's the one with Deadman Inc. on the door." He gave her another grin and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Thanks" She gave him a wink and walked off.
As she did Test walked up and looked at Maranda's retreating back side. He gave a whistle and then looked at Dwayne.
"If I didn't know better I would say that was Marks daughter." He commented and Dwayne's head snapped in his direction then he burst out laughing.
"Daughter?!" He managed to gasp out between fits of laughter.
''Yeah, she's tall, red hair, and she is going in his dressing room." Andrew was totally confused by his reaction.
"Man if that were his daughter what they are doing would be illegal in every state." Again Dwayne doubled over laughing again.
"You mean........?"
"Yes I mean..........." Dwayne rolled his eyes and walked away still laughing.
Maranda walked into the dressing room just as Mark was coming out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, his wet hair spiky and water clinging to his lashes.
"Hey baby." Maranda said quietly. His head jerked up and a grin spread across his face.
"Hey sweetheart." He held out his arms and she went into them. Forgetting that the white corset she was wearing was silk. She felt the water soak through to her skin and then remembered what she was wearing.
"Damn." She muttered kissing him lightly.
"What?"
"This thing's silk." She muttered again, untangling herself from his embrace.
'Who cares?" He mumbled pulling her back into his arms.
"I care. Plus you have a match in a little while." She said, giving him one last peck.
"Fine be that way." He gave a mock look of annoyance and dropped the towel. Maranda grinned broadly and started digging through his bags. Coming across his vinyl pants she threw them at him, letting them hit him in the face.
Suddenly the door flew open and Brock Lesnar walked through the door.
"Damn it Brock. Don't you know the meaning of the word knock?" He asked and the younger man shrugged.
"It's just a ring rat." He said, giving Maranda a leer and the once over. Before he knew it Mark had him backed against the door his hand wrapped around his throat.
"RING RAT?!" Mark yelled.
"Man I saw her go into your room. It's alright we all do it." Brock gasped out, trying to claw his way out of the larger mans grip.
"She isn't a fucking ring rat! You will say you're sorry RIGHT NOW!" Tightening his grip Mark glared at him, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits, his breathing erratic.
"Mark he can't breathe." Maranda laid a hand on his shoulder, trying to get his attention.
"Do you know what he called you?" He spat out angrily.
"Honey, you have to let him go. He's turning purple." She shook her head knowing that it was going to take more than that to get him to let him go.
"Mark let him go now!" She said harshly, causing him to drop Brock heavily to the ground. She sighed with relief and smiled slightly at him.
"Babe you know that people that don't know me would think I was a ring rat going into your room. It's a mistake, nothing more." She soothed, rubbing his arm.
"I'm sorry." Mark raked a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Get out." He growled to the man lying in a heap on the floor. Brock struggled to his feet and stumbled out of the dressing room, coughing.
He heard giggling and turned around to ask her what the hell was so funny. She took one look at him and sat on the sofa, shaking her head.
"Mark put on some pants." She said, still laughing. Looking down at himself he saw that he was indeed still without clothes on. For the first time in his life he blushed to the roots of his hair.
"Good idea." He picked the pants up that had fallen on the floor and disappeared into the bathroom. Maranda stuck her head into the still steamy room and looked around.
"I'm hungry babe, I'm going to go get a snack." She told him, walking up behind him.
"Alright. Just stay away from Brock." He told her nodding in the mirror.
"I'll be back in a few. Love you." She kissed him quickly and disappeared out of the room.
Walking down the hall she didn't notice that she had gained an admirer. Humming softly to herself suddenly she broke into a soft song. Her voice floating through the halls quietly stopping many people in their tracks.
I saw a man sitting on a hillside
Watching the soil bake dry
Looking across at the rain clouds forming
In another man's sky
As the sun beat's down, relentless
On his crops, withered and dying
While the raindrops fall on another man's land
Maranda sang as she picked up a plate and started picking her favorite fresh fruits and vegetables. Her voice had gained momentum and rose with each word. Superstars and employees alike started to gather around her.
One man's rain
The same desert, the same god
And it only rain's once a year
Why is one man blessed with plenty
While the other's left to scratch in the dirt?
One man's rain, means another man's famine
One man's sky is another man's earth
One man's riches leave another man poorer
One man's temple mocks another man's faith
One man's gain leave's another without
The song wasn't finished but Maranda stopped singing to pop a strawberry into her mouth. Applause erupted around her and she spun around, blushing a bright red crimsoned.
"You've gotten better." Amy Dumas commented, stepping forward to embrace the surprised girl.
"I can't believe this. I'm so embarrassed." Maranda groaned, hiding her face in Amy's shoulder. She patted her back and chuckled.
"Girl you have the voice of an angel. Of course people are going to notice." She told her forcing her to show her red face.
Looking around Maranda groaned and shook her head. "Stop looking at me like that!" She burst out, glaring at all the people. They all smiled and slowly began to walk away, a few walked up and complimented her on her singing abilities and she just stood there, mortified.
Everyone had finally disappeared, all except Amy, matt and Jeff. Truth be told the singing was a way to get her mind off the gut wrenching pain that was tearing its way through her abdomen. Grimacing at the pain she sat down in a chair and started to massage her temples.
"Hey it's not that bad.' Matt commented to which she answered with an angry glare. Amy cocked her head to the side and looked at her sudden realization dawning on her.
"Ahhh. I see. Pale face, slight bloating. I have some Pamprin in my locker if you want it. And chocolate." She offered helpfully.
"Really? Oh thank god! I packed so fast last night that I forgot to pack anything!" Maranda said meaningfully and Amy nodded.
"No problem. I'll even have the guys go on another chocolate run." She turned back to Team extreme and they both looked surprised.
"Oh god! Now we have two!" Jeff said in a mock horrified voice. "Quick Matt, lets get out of here. Give me the Big Show, give me Triple H, hell give me the Fabulous Moolah! Just don't give me two women with PMS." He grabbed his brother by the front of his shirt and pretended to shield himself by pulling him in front of him.
"Ha, bloody, Ha." Maranda muttered rolling her eyes. She really did feel like hell, her stomach felt like someone was sticking a hot poker into it, her head ached, her back hurt, and her clothes didn't fit right. Plus the mood swings were horrible, one minute she was happy as a lark, the next she felt like tearing into the first person that looked at her wrong.
"Sorry." Jeff muttered afraid of what might happen if he didn't apologize. They had been on the receiving end of one of Amy's temper during that time of the month. They had both gotten chewed out but it had been Matt that had eaten her last chocolate bar.
"We're outta here ladies." Matt grabbed his brother by the shoulder and hauled him out the door. Maranda and Amy looked at each other before bursting out laughing.
"I'll go get you those meds and chocolate. Be back in a few." Amy told her, still grinning. Maranda nodded her thanks and stood to her feet, stretching her arms over her head, rolling her head back and closing her eyes. When she opened them she saw a blond haired man leering at her. She recognized him as Chris Nowinski, and she only preyed that he was a little bit more likeable out of the ring than he was in.
"Damn. Now that's what I call prime choice." He muttered, giving a low whistle. No such luck, he was an even bigger jerk out of it would appear.
"Look I'm not feeling well. So please just go away." She practically begged, taking a step back as he took one forward.
"You're new." He stated.
"No. You just don't know me. If you did you wouldn't be pushing your luck." She snapped.
"Oh feisty." He reached out with a hand and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. "I like that." He muttered backing her into a corner.
From a distance it looked like the two were sharing an intimate moment alone and that was exactly what Mark thought it was. He cursed and stormed back down the hall, fury burning in his eyes.
Maranda smiled slightly as Chris ran a finger down her cheek. He let his guard down long enough and her smile grew wider. She slammed her knee into his groin then into his chin when he bent at the waist, with one hand she pushed and he fell hard to the floor.
"Idiot." She muttered as he fell to the ground gasping. She stalked back to Marks dressing room, silently fuming but putting a smile on her face as soon as she walked in.
"Mark? Babe are you here?" She called, taking a step back when he walked out of the dressing room. A rage like none she had ever seen glittering in his eyes and blood ripping from his knuckles.
"What's wrong?" She asked alarmed.
"Did you have fun?" He hissed, advancing on her.
"Mark what the hell is wrong with you"? She asked, suddenly scared.
"I saw you with Nowinski." He bit out harshly taking her by the shoulders. "You're just like your sister." He said coldly. Pure rage flashed in Maranda's eyes at his words and she wrenched out of his grasp. Before she could stop herself her hand flew to his face and hit him as hard as she could, causing him to stumble a bit and his head to snap to the side, leaving a white mark shining on his cheek.
"Was that before or after I kneed him in the balls?!" She demanded angrily, tears starting to form in her eyes at his assumption. Surprise flashed across his face soon followed by regret. He opened his mouth then snapped it shut when she held her hand up.
"When you finally get it through your thick head that I'm not my sister I'll be with Glen." She yelled, storming out before he could stop her. He sat down and buried his face in his hands berating himself for acting like an idiot. After a few minutes he jumped up and ran as fast as his legs would carry him to one of the main dressing rooms that Glen was sharing with two other superstars. He didn't pause to knock as he barreled into the room coming face to face with a flustered looking Glen, Andrew, and Dwayne. Glen sat to the side, in full gear, his mask hanging limply from his hand, Dwayne was sitting to the other side in nothing but a pair of jeans, Andrew on the other hand looked scared out of his mind.
"Where is she?" He growled and Glen shook his head.
"Gone." He snapped, sitting on a bench.
"What do you mean gone?!" He bellowed and Glen's head snapped up.
"Look man, when a six foot tall red head with PMS barges into your dressing room ranting that she is going to rip her boyfriends balls off and shove them down his throat and then demands your room key, you damn well give it to her and you do NOT ask questions." Glen explained and Mark shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.
"I have never in my life been afraid of a woman, but that girl scared me." Andrew said.
"Man you haven't seen her when she's jonesing for chocolate. Now THAT'S scary." Glen told him shaking his head slightly.
"What the hell did you do to piss her off?" He asked, looking his best friend in the eye. Mark sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I accused her of cheating on me." He mumbled.
"You did WHAT?" Dwayne demanded, his eyes going wide.
"Yeah stupid I know, but with the whole Sara thing..........." He stopped when Amy burst through the door and promptly slapped him on the back of the head.
"You know, all men are stupid, but you have got to be the stupidest of them all!" She said hotly, hitting him in the head again. "I saw Maranda a few minutes ago storming out of the building when I stopped her she whirled around and almost decked me, and then she told me the whole story. I swear if I were a man I would beat the living shit outta you!" She glared at him and he had the good grace to look embarrassed and to drop his eyes to the floor.
"A piece of advice for you Mark, trust her. She loves you and I swear I am not seeing why right now." She told him coldly, turning to walk out, she pause and grinned evilly in his direction.
"You might want to go check on your bike, that's where she was headed when I last saw her." She shot back over her shoulder and walked out. The four men in the locker room looked at each other for a few seconds before all of them bolted toward the door and started running down the hall. Mark because he was hoping she was still around so he could apologize and the other three to see if she had actually stolen his bike. One thing about Mark, you didn't mess with his
bike, no matter who you were. They made a strange sight, three seven footers running flat out down the corridors, and one shorter man keeping pace and grinning like a mad man. It took only a few minutes to come to the in door park garage and when they did the first thing they saw was a security guard looking shocked, and holding his midsection. They all skidded to a halt where the bike was suppose to be parked, now only one thin skid mark showing where she had taken off.
"She stole my bike." Mark said in disbelief, his eyes going wide.
"I couldn't do anything to stop her Mr. Calloway I swear. I tried and she kicked me in the stomach, and then told me to 'fuck off'." The man explained, looking at Mark in fear.
"She stole my bike." He muttered again, almost like he was in a trance. Glen looked at the Andrew and Dwayne and grinned.
"I think he's in shock." He said flatly, patting Mark on the back. Then to their surprise and to the group that had gathered around them he started to laugh. Not a slight chuckle but a full out belly laugh.
"Man, you okay?" Andrew asked worriedly. Mark could only nod as he looked in the general direction of where she had gone.
"That girl has balls." One of the superstars whispered as they watched in shock as Mark turned to Glen.
"Can I borrow your car and your spare key card?" He asked.
"Sure." He took the keys from his pocket and tossed them to him. Mark turned and was about to walk away when he heard a loud whistle.
"Take her this!" Amy told him, tossing him a package. He caught it and inspected it, then promptly dropped it to the floor. A package of light green and pink tampons was the offending item.
"No way in hell!" He roared and Amy laughed.
"Yes way. Take them to her or stop by the store." She tapped her chin thoughtfully and grinned at him. "I have always wondered what the American Badass would look like buying tampons." Amy laughed when he quickly bent to retrieve the package off the floor and she dug back into the pockets of her cargo jeans.
"Oh and these." She tossed him a bottle which he caught with apprehension. Sighing he nodded his head and pocketed the bottle of pamprin.
"If you really want to get on her good side buy her chocolate before you go back or you might wind up minus a vital part of your male anatomy." Trish advised, grinning from ear to ear.
"Okay who doesn't know that I just had my bike stolen by an eight-teen year old girl?" He asked exasperated, throwing his hands up in the air. Everyone, which included most of the WWE locker room shrugged and looked at the infallible Mark Calloway with slight smiles on their faces.
"I give up!" He sighed, turning and walking away. When he got in the car and drove off everyone looked at each other.
"Think it's safe?" Andrew asked. Glen nodded his head and as one everyone burst out laughing.
"She's got him whipped!" Stephanie said, giggling.
"Wrapped around her perfectly manicure little finger." Stacy agreed.
"I don't know what you're all laughing at. That girl's just mean!" Chris Nowinski bellowed walking to the center of the group.
"Maranda doesn't have a mean bone in her body." Glen said shaking his head then cocked it to the side in typical Kane fashion. "Unless you piss her off." He muttered then narrowed his eyes. "What did you do to her?!" He demanded.
The younger man took several steps back and looked around wide eyed. "Nothing!" He squeaked and at the disbelieving faces he sighed. "Okay so I hit on her."
"And......" Amy prompted.
"Tried to kiss her." He muttered. "She kicked your ass didn't she?" Dwayne asked.
"It's about time." Molly Holly muttered.
"Never mess with a woman with PMS. Especially when she just happens to be Mark Callaway's girlfriend and has one hell of a right hook." Jeff said, eyeing the other man with pity.
"Oh man, I don't know who to feel sorrier for, you or Mark." Glen shook his head and glanced over at Nowinski who looked about ready to explode.
"Before you think about trying to get back at her just remember most of us have know that girl since she was fourteen and she's like a baby sister to us. If Mark doesn't hurt you believe me I will. Stay away from her." He threatened watching the rookie back away then turn and disappear into the locker room.
"Right now I'm feeling sorrier for Mark. What is he going to walk in on?" He muttered to Dwayne.
"Man that's for him to find out and for us to hope to god we never do." He answered walking with his back into the arena.
