Title: The Road Less Traveled (22/?)
Author: Esquirella
Rating: R (for violence in some chapters.)
Disclaimer: I own the Rio character and have written other stories with her. I own all non WWE characters. But I do not own the wrestlers. (Unfortunately. They are so cute!)
Synopsis: In this chapter: Shannon finally gets to the point with Rio. How can she avoid him now?
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have heard the requests! As soon as I clean up the original Rio stories (I think my writing has evolved some over the past year) I will post them in the Original Fiction section and will let you all know that they are there.
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Rio opened her gear bag and pulled out her vibrating phone as she slipped into the lobby of the Holiday Inn.
"Yes?"
"Congratulations, Sweet One!" Sven exclaimed on the other end of the line. "How does it feel to be champion at last?"
"It feels okay," Rio said half-heartedly.
"What is wrong?" he asked in his light Scandinavian accent.
"I do not feel comfortable about what I had to do tonight," she explained. "As far as I know, Fury did not deserve to have his career ended."
"Do you think if he were the victor he would worry about you right now?"
"No," she conceded. "But that does not make it easier for me to live with."
"We warned you when you first started there what you would be facing," he sighed. "I am sorry you are having trouble with it, but it is the nature of the sport you have chosen."
"I know, Sven."
"In any case, you have given your employer something to be ashamed of."
"Not that it is much consolation," she said. "He did not even congratulate me as I left tonight. He only said that I would fight less often now. I guess he tired of seeing me with the title belt already."
"I do not trust him any more than Justin does. But we have observed that he has showcased fewer champion matches lately. We think he is trying to build up interest in some of the lower fighters."
"Now that I am in the higher ranks, I rarely see the lower level fighters anyway."
"That is not a bad thing," Sven said, clearly amused. Rio chose not to question him further as she knew Shannon, Jeff and Andrew were waiting impatiently upstairs.
"I assume you know where I am."
"Yes," he answered. "Are you sure you should be seeing your friends tonight? They seem to be trying to get close to you."
"I was trying to avoid it but Shannon is difficult to dodge."
"You could just drop them altogether," he recommended.
Rio couldn't explain the sudden pang she felt at Sven's suggestion. She just knew that it wasn't an option for her anymore, as the guys had become too important to her.
"I do not mind their getting close to me," she simply stated. "It feels good to have friends again."
"And we are not your friends?"
"No, you two are my family."
"That is very good to hear, Sweet One," Sven said and she could hear the smile in his voice. "We will call you again soon."
Rio heard the call disconnect as she pressed the elevator button.
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"Where is she?" Andrew muttered as he paced his hotel room.
"She'll sho'," Shannon assured him.
They had told Rio to meet them in Andrew's room to avoid the possibility of her bumping into Shane and Matt. Shannon sat in a chair by the door and Jeff sprawled himself across Andrew's bed, which would normally have annoyed the larger man to no end if he wasn't currently pacing a hole into the rug waiting for the small silver woman. He wasn't quite sure what he would say to her when she did, but he was very anxious to see her. She didn't look happy with tonight's title match and he was certain she shouldn't be alone like she wanted to be.
He turned and caught sight of Shannon who was casually playing with his watchband. Andrew didn't know what to make of the smaller man's new relationship with Rio, but he had to admit that Shannon definitely had some influence over her. It was as if he instinctively knew what made her tick and used the information to coerce her into doing things such as meeting them tonight. As much as he was uncomfortable with Shannon's increasingly possessive attitude toward her, there were times when he felt grateful for it.
A small knock sounded on the door and Shannon quickly rose and opened it, pulling Rio into the room. Once inside, Andrew noted, the smaller wrestler did not release her as she dropped her bag onto the floor. Jeff immediately bounced off the bed and started toward her.
"How ya doin', Ri?" he asked excitedly, pulling her away from an annoyed Shannon and hugging her tightly.
"I am fine, Jeff," she answered, amazingly allowing the contact and even leaning into him. "I have missed you all."
"Coulda fooled me," Shannon retorted. "Ya tried like hell t' keep away."
Rio raised one golden eyebrow up at him, but said nothing. She slowly pulled away from Jeff and went over to hug Andrew briefly, who recovered from his surprise in time to clasp his arms around her. When she released him, Jeff grabbed her around the waist and tugged her down onto the bed with him sitting back and holding her close. Shannon glared at his friend darkly before dropping heavily onto the bed next to them and Andrew pulled the chair close, sharing a smile with Jeff over the young man's irritation.
"I really am glad to see you, you know," she said finally, looking at Shannon as she spoke.
"Ya sure now?" he responded.
"I am sure," she said. "I am just used to being alone after such events as tonight."
"When are ya gonna un'erstand ya not alone anymo'?" Shannon sighed in exasperation.
Rio regarded him for a long moment before responding. "I do not know."
"Well we'll help you in anyway we can," Andrew smiled, patting her knee. "We plan to always be here for you."
Rio turned a sad look on him but said nothing. Andrew stared at her in confusion.
"Oh no ya don'," Shannon said, turning her head back to him with a finger under her chin. "I don' wanna hear anymo' 'bout us leavin' ya like everyone else."
"Wha's this?" Jeff asked, his voice laced with undisguised concern.
"She tol' me everyone she's eva cared 'bout has eitha left o' been taken from 'er," Shannon explained, his eyes never leaving Rio's silver face. "She said we'll probally do th' same."
"Oh no we won'!" Jeff asserted, with Andrew nodding in agreement. "this is fo' life, Ri. Yo' no' alone anymo'."
"That's right," Andrew grinned. "Now how do you want to celebrate your title win?"
Rio looked around to all of her friends, shaking her head. "This is how I want to celebrate, talking with you," she said. "I have not had a chance to be with all of you since the Indy show, and that did not go over very well with everyone present."
At the mention of Matt Andrew heaved a sigh. He was mad as hell at the older Hardy for demanding that Rio never call Jeff again and for making her feel that she was a disease. If Shannon hadn't browbeat her into keeping in touch with him and emailing Jeff, none of them would have ever seen them again.
"Do not be angry with Matt, Andrew," she said softly touching his arm with her gloved hand. "He was only trying to protect his brother."
"I can take care o' m'self," Jeff growled tightening his grip on her as if Matt were there trying to pull her away from him. "An' YOU are no' a disease!"
With that said, he placed a small kiss on the side of her head and Andrew watched Shannon's eyes widen then narrow into slits. He looked at Jeff who was grinning broadly. Andrew smiled back, enjoying Shannon's discomfort.
Rio seemed oblivious to the exchange and glanced over at Andrew. "So I have heard you are having some trouble with the creative team over your hairstyle?"
Shannon and Jeff burst out laughing as Andrew's face reddened.
"Yeah," he said. "They wanted me and Jay to chop all our hair off so we'd all look alike. We didn't want to do it, so they split us all up and have us two jobbing while they push Lance and Regal."
"They changed your storyline because you did not want to shave your head?"
"That's about it."
"Would it not help your show more if they just made a more concerted effort to concentrate on plots?"
"Tell them that."
"I do not wish to waste my breath on a bunch of two year olds," Rio replied. "Too bad the Smackdown head writer cannot just stage a coup."
Shannon chuckled. "Ya like our sho' betta, Rio?"
"I like both shows," Rio said. "But you can see the cohesiveness of the Smackdown creative staff. Sorry Jeff and Andrew."
They just shrugged. Suddenly Jeff's phone rang and he reached down to his waistband to retrieve it. Shannon frowned further, seeing Jeff stealthily cop a feel from Rio, who again seemed oblivious.
"'Lo?" Jeff said into the phone, grinning again at Shannon.
Andrew watched Jeff's expression darken as he listened into the phone. Whoever was on the other line it was clear the younger Hardy hadn't wanted to talk to them.
"Yeah, we can talk t'night, Matt," Jeff finally said.
Andrew understood now why Jeff was upset. He'd told the large Canadian all about his last conversation with his brother and Andrew agreed with him that distance was probably better at this point. He was also pissed as hell at what Matt had said to Rio and didn't quite trust his own actions if he should meet the dark haired man alone again so soon.
"I'm wit' Drew right now," Jeff said. "No, don' come up. I'll come down. Matt? Matt? Shit!"
He hung up the phone and sighed meeting Andrew's quizzical glance. "'E's on 'is way up here. 'Pparently 'e an' Shane got back a while ago an' Shane fell asleep."
"Probally drunk," Shannon nodded, grabbing Rio's hand. "C'mon, li'l girl, tha's our cue."
Rio reluctantly rose from Jeff's personal space and hugged him then turned and hugged Andrew. She walked over to her bag and hefted onto her shoulder but Shannon plucked it right off and settled it on his own, taking her hand once again.
"Bye guys," he said happily opening the door and ushering her into the hallway. "I'll call ya t'morra."
Andrew caught Jeff's amused smirk and smiled. This was getting pretty interesting.
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"Slow down," Rio complained. "I am still winded from my match."
Shannon glanced over his shoulder and smiled at the woman he held in tow. Alone at least, he thought triumphantly. He would have to do something nice for Matt.
"Y'ok?"
"Yes, but I think I should go now."
"No' yet," he said frowning, tugging her over to the rental car he had parked on a side street away from the hotel. "I wanna talk t'ya."
"Can this not wait until our next phone call?"
"No."
He unlocked the passenger's door and ushered her inside, then went around to the driver's side and got in quickly.
"Why're ya not happy wit' th' win?" he asked, watching her intently.
Seemingly uncomfortable with his ability to see into her, she looked away.
"I do not having to hurt people who do nothing to deserve it."
"'Ed'a done it t' YOU."
"That does not make me feel any better."
"Look a' me," he commanded quietly.
She slowly complied with his demand.
"Yaw no' LIKE them othas," he said softly, touching her silver cheek. "Stop thinkin' ya are."
She shrugged but said nothing, not breaking eye contact. He took this as a positive sign.
"Yaw gonna keep callin' me as long as I tell ya to, right?" he asked.
She furrowed her forehead in confusion, but nodded.
"Good," he said just before he took her lips in a breathtaking kiss that stunned them both. She gasped in surprise and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth and taste her. Finally, he thought as he deepened the kiss.
Author: Esquirella
Rating: R (for violence in some chapters.)
Disclaimer: I own the Rio character and have written other stories with her. I own all non WWE characters. But I do not own the wrestlers. (Unfortunately. They are so cute!)
Synopsis: In this chapter: Shannon finally gets to the point with Rio. How can she avoid him now?
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have heard the requests! As soon as I clean up the original Rio stories (I think my writing has evolved some over the past year) I will post them in the Original Fiction section and will let you all know that they are there.
--------------------------------------
Rio opened her gear bag and pulled out her vibrating phone as she slipped into the lobby of the Holiday Inn.
"Yes?"
"Congratulations, Sweet One!" Sven exclaimed on the other end of the line. "How does it feel to be champion at last?"
"It feels okay," Rio said half-heartedly.
"What is wrong?" he asked in his light Scandinavian accent.
"I do not feel comfortable about what I had to do tonight," she explained. "As far as I know, Fury did not deserve to have his career ended."
"Do you think if he were the victor he would worry about you right now?"
"No," she conceded. "But that does not make it easier for me to live with."
"We warned you when you first started there what you would be facing," he sighed. "I am sorry you are having trouble with it, but it is the nature of the sport you have chosen."
"I know, Sven."
"In any case, you have given your employer something to be ashamed of."
"Not that it is much consolation," she said. "He did not even congratulate me as I left tonight. He only said that I would fight less often now. I guess he tired of seeing me with the title belt already."
"I do not trust him any more than Justin does. But we have observed that he has showcased fewer champion matches lately. We think he is trying to build up interest in some of the lower fighters."
"Now that I am in the higher ranks, I rarely see the lower level fighters anyway."
"That is not a bad thing," Sven said, clearly amused. Rio chose not to question him further as she knew Shannon, Jeff and Andrew were waiting impatiently upstairs.
"I assume you know where I am."
"Yes," he answered. "Are you sure you should be seeing your friends tonight? They seem to be trying to get close to you."
"I was trying to avoid it but Shannon is difficult to dodge."
"You could just drop them altogether," he recommended.
Rio couldn't explain the sudden pang she felt at Sven's suggestion. She just knew that it wasn't an option for her anymore, as the guys had become too important to her.
"I do not mind their getting close to me," she simply stated. "It feels good to have friends again."
"And we are not your friends?"
"No, you two are my family."
"That is very good to hear, Sweet One," Sven said and she could hear the smile in his voice. "We will call you again soon."
Rio heard the call disconnect as she pressed the elevator button.
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"Where is she?" Andrew muttered as he paced his hotel room.
"She'll sho'," Shannon assured him.
They had told Rio to meet them in Andrew's room to avoid the possibility of her bumping into Shane and Matt. Shannon sat in a chair by the door and Jeff sprawled himself across Andrew's bed, which would normally have annoyed the larger man to no end if he wasn't currently pacing a hole into the rug waiting for the small silver woman. He wasn't quite sure what he would say to her when she did, but he was very anxious to see her. She didn't look happy with tonight's title match and he was certain she shouldn't be alone like she wanted to be.
He turned and caught sight of Shannon who was casually playing with his watchband. Andrew didn't know what to make of the smaller man's new relationship with Rio, but he had to admit that Shannon definitely had some influence over her. It was as if he instinctively knew what made her tick and used the information to coerce her into doing things such as meeting them tonight. As much as he was uncomfortable with Shannon's increasingly possessive attitude toward her, there were times when he felt grateful for it.
A small knock sounded on the door and Shannon quickly rose and opened it, pulling Rio into the room. Once inside, Andrew noted, the smaller wrestler did not release her as she dropped her bag onto the floor. Jeff immediately bounced off the bed and started toward her.
"How ya doin', Ri?" he asked excitedly, pulling her away from an annoyed Shannon and hugging her tightly.
"I am fine, Jeff," she answered, amazingly allowing the contact and even leaning into him. "I have missed you all."
"Coulda fooled me," Shannon retorted. "Ya tried like hell t' keep away."
Rio raised one golden eyebrow up at him, but said nothing. She slowly pulled away from Jeff and went over to hug Andrew briefly, who recovered from his surprise in time to clasp his arms around her. When she released him, Jeff grabbed her around the waist and tugged her down onto the bed with him sitting back and holding her close. Shannon glared at his friend darkly before dropping heavily onto the bed next to them and Andrew pulled the chair close, sharing a smile with Jeff over the young man's irritation.
"I really am glad to see you, you know," she said finally, looking at Shannon as she spoke.
"Ya sure now?" he responded.
"I am sure," she said. "I am just used to being alone after such events as tonight."
"When are ya gonna un'erstand ya not alone anymo'?" Shannon sighed in exasperation.
Rio regarded him for a long moment before responding. "I do not know."
"Well we'll help you in anyway we can," Andrew smiled, patting her knee. "We plan to always be here for you."
Rio turned a sad look on him but said nothing. Andrew stared at her in confusion.
"Oh no ya don'," Shannon said, turning her head back to him with a finger under her chin. "I don' wanna hear anymo' 'bout us leavin' ya like everyone else."
"Wha's this?" Jeff asked, his voice laced with undisguised concern.
"She tol' me everyone she's eva cared 'bout has eitha left o' been taken from 'er," Shannon explained, his eyes never leaving Rio's silver face. "She said we'll probally do th' same."
"Oh no we won'!" Jeff asserted, with Andrew nodding in agreement. "this is fo' life, Ri. Yo' no' alone anymo'."
"That's right," Andrew grinned. "Now how do you want to celebrate your title win?"
Rio looked around to all of her friends, shaking her head. "This is how I want to celebrate, talking with you," she said. "I have not had a chance to be with all of you since the Indy show, and that did not go over very well with everyone present."
At the mention of Matt Andrew heaved a sigh. He was mad as hell at the older Hardy for demanding that Rio never call Jeff again and for making her feel that she was a disease. If Shannon hadn't browbeat her into keeping in touch with him and emailing Jeff, none of them would have ever seen them again.
"Do not be angry with Matt, Andrew," she said softly touching his arm with her gloved hand. "He was only trying to protect his brother."
"I can take care o' m'self," Jeff growled tightening his grip on her as if Matt were there trying to pull her away from him. "An' YOU are no' a disease!"
With that said, he placed a small kiss on the side of her head and Andrew watched Shannon's eyes widen then narrow into slits. He looked at Jeff who was grinning broadly. Andrew smiled back, enjoying Shannon's discomfort.
Rio seemed oblivious to the exchange and glanced over at Andrew. "So I have heard you are having some trouble with the creative team over your hairstyle?"
Shannon and Jeff burst out laughing as Andrew's face reddened.
"Yeah," he said. "They wanted me and Jay to chop all our hair off so we'd all look alike. We didn't want to do it, so they split us all up and have us two jobbing while they push Lance and Regal."
"They changed your storyline because you did not want to shave your head?"
"That's about it."
"Would it not help your show more if they just made a more concerted effort to concentrate on plots?"
"Tell them that."
"I do not wish to waste my breath on a bunch of two year olds," Rio replied. "Too bad the Smackdown head writer cannot just stage a coup."
Shannon chuckled. "Ya like our sho' betta, Rio?"
"I like both shows," Rio said. "But you can see the cohesiveness of the Smackdown creative staff. Sorry Jeff and Andrew."
They just shrugged. Suddenly Jeff's phone rang and he reached down to his waistband to retrieve it. Shannon frowned further, seeing Jeff stealthily cop a feel from Rio, who again seemed oblivious.
"'Lo?" Jeff said into the phone, grinning again at Shannon.
Andrew watched Jeff's expression darken as he listened into the phone. Whoever was on the other line it was clear the younger Hardy hadn't wanted to talk to them.
"Yeah, we can talk t'night, Matt," Jeff finally said.
Andrew understood now why Jeff was upset. He'd told the large Canadian all about his last conversation with his brother and Andrew agreed with him that distance was probably better at this point. He was also pissed as hell at what Matt had said to Rio and didn't quite trust his own actions if he should meet the dark haired man alone again so soon.
"I'm wit' Drew right now," Jeff said. "No, don' come up. I'll come down. Matt? Matt? Shit!"
He hung up the phone and sighed meeting Andrew's quizzical glance. "'E's on 'is way up here. 'Pparently 'e an' Shane got back a while ago an' Shane fell asleep."
"Probally drunk," Shannon nodded, grabbing Rio's hand. "C'mon, li'l girl, tha's our cue."
Rio reluctantly rose from Jeff's personal space and hugged him then turned and hugged Andrew. She walked over to her bag and hefted onto her shoulder but Shannon plucked it right off and settled it on his own, taking her hand once again.
"Bye guys," he said happily opening the door and ushering her into the hallway. "I'll call ya t'morra."
Andrew caught Jeff's amused smirk and smiled. This was getting pretty interesting.
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"Slow down," Rio complained. "I am still winded from my match."
Shannon glanced over his shoulder and smiled at the woman he held in tow. Alone at least, he thought triumphantly. He would have to do something nice for Matt.
"Y'ok?"
"Yes, but I think I should go now."
"No' yet," he said frowning, tugging her over to the rental car he had parked on a side street away from the hotel. "I wanna talk t'ya."
"Can this not wait until our next phone call?"
"No."
He unlocked the passenger's door and ushered her inside, then went around to the driver's side and got in quickly.
"Why're ya not happy wit' th' win?" he asked, watching her intently.
Seemingly uncomfortable with his ability to see into her, she looked away.
"I do not having to hurt people who do nothing to deserve it."
"'Ed'a done it t' YOU."
"That does not make me feel any better."
"Look a' me," he commanded quietly.
She slowly complied with his demand.
"Yaw no' LIKE them othas," he said softly, touching her silver cheek. "Stop thinkin' ya are."
She shrugged but said nothing, not breaking eye contact. He took this as a positive sign.
"Yaw gonna keep callin' me as long as I tell ya to, right?" he asked.
She furrowed her forehead in confusion, but nodded.
"Good," he said just before he took her lips in a breathtaking kiss that stunned them both. She gasped in surprise and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth and taste her. Finally, he thought as he deepened the kiss.