Title: The Road Less Traveled (25/?)
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: Matt tries to apologize to Rio. Shannon maneuvers her into another risky situation. Sven zeros in on Fury's problem.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am working on Rio's first stories. Please bear with me.
--------------------------------------
Shannon and Matt went directly back to their room after the show to be sure they had enough privacy when Rio called. Matt was a little on edge not knowing how she would react to his wanting to speak with her. Shannon, on the other hand, seemed quite confident that she would be willing to talk to his friend.
"Ya sure she'll be okay wit' this?" Matt asked for the third time.
Shannon rolled his eyes but kept the sarcasm out of his answer. "I kno' she'll talk t' ya if I ask 'er to."
The younger man's cell phone rang softly shortly thereafter and Matt could only watch him answer it, hopeful that Shannon was right.
"Hey, li'l girl," Shannon said smiling. Matt quirked a questioning eyebrow at him but got only a small shrug in response. "How ya doin'?"
Matt glanced at the wall beside the bed he was sitting on listening to Shannon's side of the conversation and wondering just how far this relationship had gone. He knew his friend wouldn't tolerate any interference so he wisely chose to bide his time and observe.
"Listen, Rio," Shannon began carefully, "I got someone here who wants t' talk t' ya."
Matt looked back over to Shannon hopefully.
"No, i's no' Jeff," he said into the phone. "I's Matt."
"Really, 'e wants t' talk t' ya." There was a long period of silence as Shannon listened to whatever Rio was saying. "I's no' gonna be bad."
Matt's hopes were beginning to slide as he saw Shannon's frown. But the young man remained undaunted in this task. "Please, baby," he purred softly. "Talk t' 'im fo' me." Apparently that did it as Shannon suddenly smiled and handed Matt his phone. He took it nervously and held it to his ear.
"Rio?"
"Yes, Matt," she said warily. "What can I do for you now?"
Matt cringed slightly, remembering how he treated her during their last conversation. He didn't know how to go about apologizing for being such an ass, but he knew he had to try.
"I's what I should be doin' fo' you," he said. Not knowing any other way to proceed, he decided to take a direct approach. "I'm sorry fo' wha' I said t' ya las' time we talked."
He stopped speaking and waited for her to reply with accusations or obscenities, but all he heard was her quiet breathing.
"I really am sorry," he said trying to coax a response. He noticed Shannon watching him intently also waiting for Rio's reaction.
"I do not know why you are apologizing for saying what you feel," she said at last.
"I's no' how I feel," Matt insisted.
"It was that night."
Matt took a deep breath and let it out slowly searching for a way to make her understand why he'd said things he didn't really mean. He was beginning to see what Jeff meant about her taking things literally and very personally. According to Shannon, the only reason she called him that night was because she'd promised him she would. He admitted to himself that were the situation reversed, he probably would not have made a call he knew would end so badly.
"I said those thin's because I was desperate t' keep Jeff safe from ya," Matt said. "I didn' kno' ya as a person an' was only thinkin' o' him."
"You were not wrong."
Matt didn't know what to say to that so he remained quiet hoping she would continue.
"I am not a good person and am certainly someone you should be worried about your brother being exposed to."
"Yo' not," Matt said. "Rio, I kno' ya saved Shannon's life tha' day. We couldnta done it wit'outcha."
"Be that as it may," she said sadly, "I am still part of that world and the only thing that saved any of you that day is my violent side. The part of me I have little control over. You have cause for concern, Matt. You all deserve to remain untouched by what I am."
"I don' think so," he answered. "No' anymo'."
"I know Shannon has put these doubts in your mind, Matt. He has been trying to do the same to me. Trust me on this point. I know what I am and what I am not."
"I don' think ya do," he argued. "I was way outta line, 'specially wit' what I said 'bout yo' family."
Rio gasped softly, but remained calm. "Not necessarily."
"Huh?"
"I am the common denominator in their deaths," she went on. "If I were not a part of his life, my husband would still be alive. I am to blame, however indirectly."
"Ya had a husband?" Matt saw Shannon's stare sharpen considerably. "When? How did 'e die?"
"I do not wish to talk about it," she said flatly. "Suffice it to say that if he had never known me, he would not have died."
"I'm sure tha's no' true."
"It does not matter," she said. "It is true as far as I am concerned."
"Look, Rio, I am vera sorry," Matt continued. "An' I do wantcha t' call Jeff again."
"That is not a good idea."
"It is," Matt asserted. "'E's no' happy wit' th' situation, an' so therefo' neitha am I."
"Why?"
"Because 'e's hurtin' wit' outcha, an' because yo' hurtin', too." Matt saw Shannon nod approvingly. Apparently he knew Matt was on the right track, using Jeff as a catalyst.
"This is too much of a change for you, Matt Hardy," she said. "I do not know why you have reconsidered your position, but I ask you to think on it again. You should also be trying to convince Shannon to stop talking to me."
Now Matt was growing concerned. "I don' think Shannon would 'ppreciate tha' too much."
"What?" Shannon asked. Matt waved him off and went back to his conversation.
"He appreciates nothing he does not agree with," she conceded. "Still, it is for his own good."
"An' what 'bout yo' own good?"
"I can take care of myself," she sighed audibly. "Why does everybody feel the desire to tell me what is good for me? Even you, who could not stand the sight of me a short while ago."
"'Cause yo' not actin' like ya care 'bout yo'self," Matt charged. "An' I can tell ya tha' no way is Shanny eva lettin' ya outta yo' promise."
"DAMN right!" Shannon shouted.
"Typical," Rio muttered.
"Look, ya need t' call Jeff," Matt said.
"I do not know," Rio said after some silence.
"I do," Matt said firmly. "I wan' a promise."
"What?" she asked in obvious surprise. "Why?"
"Because yo' word is bindin', an' I wan' t' make sure ya do this fo' me."
There was a long moment where Rio was evidently deliberating the new promise Matt asked of her. He silently waited, hoping to get an agreement out of her. At least then he could say he made it up to his brother..
"I will call him later," she said finally. "You have been taking lessons from Shannon, have you not?"
Matt smiled for the first time in what seemed like hours. "Maybe."
"No maybes about it," she replied. "He is the only one from whom you could have learned that."
"I hope we can talk 'gain sometime."
"Why?"
"Ya don' kno' it, girl, but yo' fascinatin'."
Rio choked out a small laugh. "You have got to be joking."
--------------------------------------
Sven looked in on Fury every two hours during the night and again early the next morning. There was still no change in his condition and he had not moved at all. He had drawn some blood from the young man the night before and sent it off to a nearby lab for chemical analysis. He looked at his watch and noted that the results should be available soon. Considering the doctor's notes, he knew the man had not been given enough sedatives to explain his current state.
"How is the patient, Dr. Sven?" Justin asked as he pushed open the door.
"Unchanged," he answered worriedly. He turned to meet Justin's speculative gaze. "I suspect an as-yet-unknown toxin is involved and have sent his blood for analysis."
Justin nodded turning to look at the pale prizefighter in the bed. "We have to figure this out quickly, Sven. Every minute she's in that club, she's in danger."
"Do you think I am unaware?"
Justin turned to look at his companion again. "You know I did not mean it that way."
Sven held up a hand to placate Justin. "I know. I am just tired," he said. "And very worried."
"Me, too."
--------------------------------------
Jeff was dozing on his hotel room bed when his cell phone rang waking him. He rubbed his eyes slowly blinking to focus.
"Ya gonna git that?" Shane squawked in irritation from the other bed. He raised his green tinted head to glare playfully at his purple-haired friend.
"Ain' MY fault ya got anotha hangover," Jeff laughed, grabbing the phone. "'Lo?"
"Jeff?"
"Omygod, Ri!" Jeff exclaimed, jumping up.
Shane scrunched up his face and looked up at the bouncing Hardy Boy. "Ri?"
Jeff told the caller to hold on and turned to Shane. "I's my frien', Rio."
"Aren' ya not supposed t' be talkin' t' 'er?"
"Bite me, Shane," Jeff said and turned back to his call. "How's it goin', Ri?"
"Not so bad. And you?"
"Betta, now. What made ya break yo' promise to Matt."
"Matt."
"Come 'gain?"
"Matt made me break my promise not call you."
Jeff shook his head in to clear the confusion. "When didja speak t' my brotha?"
"Earlier tonight."
"Why'dja call 'im?"
"I did not call him, I called Shannon," Rio said. "He said that Matt wanted to speak with me."
"Why?" he asked as a knock sounded on the door.
"That is what I asked, but he would insist that it would not bad. Next thing I knew, your brother was apologizing for our last conversation and making me promise to call you again."
"Well, I'm glad," Jeff grinned, opening the door for Andrew and mouthing 'Rio' to the tall Canadian. Andrew's eyes opened excitedly and he gestured to the phone. "Hol' on a minute, Ri."
Andrew clutched the phone Jeff handed him close to his ear. "Hey, Rio?"
Jeff watched Andrew contentedly. He was going to have to call his brother later to thank him.
--------------------------------------
Sven read the fax from the lab in confusion. Metaldehyde? Where could Fury have been exposed to that particular toxin?
"Justin?" he called out. The darker man appeared a moment later.
"Take a look at this," Sven said handing him the sheet.
"Metaldehyde?" Justin's eyes scanned the sheet briefly looking questioningly at his companion. "What is it?"
"It is used to bait slugs and snails to control their population in agricultural communities."
"How did Fury get it into his blood?"
"Good question."
"How can we help him?"
Sven shook his head sadly as he set up an IV next to Fury's bed. "I do not know if we can. I will start him on diazepam."
"Do you think it was introduced through the stab wound?"
"Possibly."
"We have to warn her."
--------------------------------------
Rio called Shannon as soon as she hung up with Jeff and Andrew.
"There ya are."
"I called you back as soon as I was finished," she admonished. "I said that is what I would do."
"I kno', I kno'," he answered sheepishly. "Cain' blame me fo' bein' anxious."
"Yes, I can. Where is Matt?"
"Asleep inside."
"How did you get him to change his mind about me?"
"I jus' waited fo' 'im t' calm down an' pointed out th' facts."
Rio assumed a skeptical pose and waited for him to continue.
"I swear," he sounded offended. "I didn' DO anythin' else."
"Very well," she sighed. "Jeff seemed pleased that his brother will not keep me from calling him and Andrew. I am still not sure it is the best idea."
"Yo' neva sure," he laughed. "Where ya gonna be this weekend?"
"Training, why?"
"Amy's joinin' Matt, an' I'm roomin' alone."
"And?" Rio asked nervously, suspecting Shannon's next statement.
"Yo' gonna be my roommate."
"Oh no, I am not!" she exclaimed and heard his soft laughter echoing through the phone line.
"I 'ave ya scared stiff, huh?"
Rio's mouth hung open. This went beyond daring, she decided. It was downright insulting. How could he assume she would just willingly capitulate to this demand?
"I do not think that has anything to do with it," she hissed. "And for your information, I am not afraid of you. Why would you think I would agree to this?"
"Ya kno' why."
"I do not."
"Ya do," he said firmly. "I tol' ya we're no' goin' backward."
"And I indicated that we are not going forward."
"Yo' fears are unfounded. Please, li'l girl? Don' make me beg. It ain' pretty."
"I am NOT going to spend the night with you," she said unmoved by his cute act. "I have promised myself that I would not do that again. It is too hazardous . . . for both of us."
"How d'ya figure," he asked in a low, dangerous voice she hadn't heard before.
She sighed again, weighing her words carefully. "I cannot live with myself if anything happens to you, Shannon. You have come to mean too much to me recently."
"I can take care o' myself."
"That is not always true," she reminded him. "And not completely what I meant."
"Yo' NOT dangerous t' me, baby."
"I am."
"No," he insisted. "Look, please jus' meet me in th' room nex' weekend. We can talk 'bout ya stayin' when ya git here."
"Now I know THAT is a bad idea."
"Please, baby?" he pleaded. "Promise me?"
Rio knew she would be crossing a line if she agreed to meet him. She had to refuse him, no matter what she wanted to do. She had to put her foot down now, before it was too late.
"Okay," she said, shocking herself most of all. WHAT, she thought. What the hell did I just say?
"Beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
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: Matt tries to apologize to Rio. Shannon maneuvers her into another risky situation. Sven zeros in on Fury's problem.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am working on Rio's first stories. Please bear with me.
--------------------------------------
Shannon and Matt went directly back to their room after the show to be sure they had enough privacy when Rio called. Matt was a little on edge not knowing how she would react to his wanting to speak with her. Shannon, on the other hand, seemed quite confident that she would be willing to talk to his friend.
"Ya sure she'll be okay wit' this?" Matt asked for the third time.
Shannon rolled his eyes but kept the sarcasm out of his answer. "I kno' she'll talk t' ya if I ask 'er to."
The younger man's cell phone rang softly shortly thereafter and Matt could only watch him answer it, hopeful that Shannon was right.
"Hey, li'l girl," Shannon said smiling. Matt quirked a questioning eyebrow at him but got only a small shrug in response. "How ya doin'?"
Matt glanced at the wall beside the bed he was sitting on listening to Shannon's side of the conversation and wondering just how far this relationship had gone. He knew his friend wouldn't tolerate any interference so he wisely chose to bide his time and observe.
"Listen, Rio," Shannon began carefully, "I got someone here who wants t' talk t' ya."
Matt looked back over to Shannon hopefully.
"No, i's no' Jeff," he said into the phone. "I's Matt."
"Really, 'e wants t' talk t' ya." There was a long period of silence as Shannon listened to whatever Rio was saying. "I's no' gonna be bad."
Matt's hopes were beginning to slide as he saw Shannon's frown. But the young man remained undaunted in this task. "Please, baby," he purred softly. "Talk t' 'im fo' me." Apparently that did it as Shannon suddenly smiled and handed Matt his phone. He took it nervously and held it to his ear.
"Rio?"
"Yes, Matt," she said warily. "What can I do for you now?"
Matt cringed slightly, remembering how he treated her during their last conversation. He didn't know how to go about apologizing for being such an ass, but he knew he had to try.
"I's what I should be doin' fo' you," he said. Not knowing any other way to proceed, he decided to take a direct approach. "I'm sorry fo' wha' I said t' ya las' time we talked."
He stopped speaking and waited for her to reply with accusations or obscenities, but all he heard was her quiet breathing.
"I really am sorry," he said trying to coax a response. He noticed Shannon watching him intently also waiting for Rio's reaction.
"I do not know why you are apologizing for saying what you feel," she said at last.
"I's no' how I feel," Matt insisted.
"It was that night."
Matt took a deep breath and let it out slowly searching for a way to make her understand why he'd said things he didn't really mean. He was beginning to see what Jeff meant about her taking things literally and very personally. According to Shannon, the only reason she called him that night was because she'd promised him she would. He admitted to himself that were the situation reversed, he probably would not have made a call he knew would end so badly.
"I said those thin's because I was desperate t' keep Jeff safe from ya," Matt said. "I didn' kno' ya as a person an' was only thinkin' o' him."
"You were not wrong."
Matt didn't know what to say to that so he remained quiet hoping she would continue.
"I am not a good person and am certainly someone you should be worried about your brother being exposed to."
"Yo' not," Matt said. "Rio, I kno' ya saved Shannon's life tha' day. We couldnta done it wit'outcha."
"Be that as it may," she said sadly, "I am still part of that world and the only thing that saved any of you that day is my violent side. The part of me I have little control over. You have cause for concern, Matt. You all deserve to remain untouched by what I am."
"I don' think so," he answered. "No' anymo'."
"I know Shannon has put these doubts in your mind, Matt. He has been trying to do the same to me. Trust me on this point. I know what I am and what I am not."
"I don' think ya do," he argued. "I was way outta line, 'specially wit' what I said 'bout yo' family."
Rio gasped softly, but remained calm. "Not necessarily."
"Huh?"
"I am the common denominator in their deaths," she went on. "If I were not a part of his life, my husband would still be alive. I am to blame, however indirectly."
"Ya had a husband?" Matt saw Shannon's stare sharpen considerably. "When? How did 'e die?"
"I do not wish to talk about it," she said flatly. "Suffice it to say that if he had never known me, he would not have died."
"I'm sure tha's no' true."
"It does not matter," she said. "It is true as far as I am concerned."
"Look, Rio, I am vera sorry," Matt continued. "An' I do wantcha t' call Jeff again."
"That is not a good idea."
"It is," Matt asserted. "'E's no' happy wit' th' situation, an' so therefo' neitha am I."
"Why?"
"Because 'e's hurtin' wit' outcha, an' because yo' hurtin', too." Matt saw Shannon nod approvingly. Apparently he knew Matt was on the right track, using Jeff as a catalyst.
"This is too much of a change for you, Matt Hardy," she said. "I do not know why you have reconsidered your position, but I ask you to think on it again. You should also be trying to convince Shannon to stop talking to me."
Now Matt was growing concerned. "I don' think Shannon would 'ppreciate tha' too much."
"What?" Shannon asked. Matt waved him off and went back to his conversation.
"He appreciates nothing he does not agree with," she conceded. "Still, it is for his own good."
"An' what 'bout yo' own good?"
"I can take care of myself," she sighed audibly. "Why does everybody feel the desire to tell me what is good for me? Even you, who could not stand the sight of me a short while ago."
"'Cause yo' not actin' like ya care 'bout yo'self," Matt charged. "An' I can tell ya tha' no way is Shanny eva lettin' ya outta yo' promise."
"DAMN right!" Shannon shouted.
"Typical," Rio muttered.
"Look, ya need t' call Jeff," Matt said.
"I do not know," Rio said after some silence.
"I do," Matt said firmly. "I wan' a promise."
"What?" she asked in obvious surprise. "Why?"
"Because yo' word is bindin', an' I wan' t' make sure ya do this fo' me."
There was a long moment where Rio was evidently deliberating the new promise Matt asked of her. He silently waited, hoping to get an agreement out of her. At least then he could say he made it up to his brother..
"I will call him later," she said finally. "You have been taking lessons from Shannon, have you not?"
Matt smiled for the first time in what seemed like hours. "Maybe."
"No maybes about it," she replied. "He is the only one from whom you could have learned that."
"I hope we can talk 'gain sometime."
"Why?"
"Ya don' kno' it, girl, but yo' fascinatin'."
Rio choked out a small laugh. "You have got to be joking."
--------------------------------------
Sven looked in on Fury every two hours during the night and again early the next morning. There was still no change in his condition and he had not moved at all. He had drawn some blood from the young man the night before and sent it off to a nearby lab for chemical analysis. He looked at his watch and noted that the results should be available soon. Considering the doctor's notes, he knew the man had not been given enough sedatives to explain his current state.
"How is the patient, Dr. Sven?" Justin asked as he pushed open the door.
"Unchanged," he answered worriedly. He turned to meet Justin's speculative gaze. "I suspect an as-yet-unknown toxin is involved and have sent his blood for analysis."
Justin nodded turning to look at the pale prizefighter in the bed. "We have to figure this out quickly, Sven. Every minute she's in that club, she's in danger."
"Do you think I am unaware?"
Justin turned to look at his companion again. "You know I did not mean it that way."
Sven held up a hand to placate Justin. "I know. I am just tired," he said. "And very worried."
"Me, too."
--------------------------------------
Jeff was dozing on his hotel room bed when his cell phone rang waking him. He rubbed his eyes slowly blinking to focus.
"Ya gonna git that?" Shane squawked in irritation from the other bed. He raised his green tinted head to glare playfully at his purple-haired friend.
"Ain' MY fault ya got anotha hangover," Jeff laughed, grabbing the phone. "'Lo?"
"Jeff?"
"Omygod, Ri!" Jeff exclaimed, jumping up.
Shane scrunched up his face and looked up at the bouncing Hardy Boy. "Ri?"
Jeff told the caller to hold on and turned to Shane. "I's my frien', Rio."
"Aren' ya not supposed t' be talkin' t' 'er?"
"Bite me, Shane," Jeff said and turned back to his call. "How's it goin', Ri?"
"Not so bad. And you?"
"Betta, now. What made ya break yo' promise to Matt."
"Matt."
"Come 'gain?"
"Matt made me break my promise not call you."
Jeff shook his head in to clear the confusion. "When didja speak t' my brotha?"
"Earlier tonight."
"Why'dja call 'im?"
"I did not call him, I called Shannon," Rio said. "He said that Matt wanted to speak with me."
"Why?" he asked as a knock sounded on the door.
"That is what I asked, but he would insist that it would not bad. Next thing I knew, your brother was apologizing for our last conversation and making me promise to call you again."
"Well, I'm glad," Jeff grinned, opening the door for Andrew and mouthing 'Rio' to the tall Canadian. Andrew's eyes opened excitedly and he gestured to the phone. "Hol' on a minute, Ri."
Andrew clutched the phone Jeff handed him close to his ear. "Hey, Rio?"
Jeff watched Andrew contentedly. He was going to have to call his brother later to thank him.
--------------------------------------
Sven read the fax from the lab in confusion. Metaldehyde? Where could Fury have been exposed to that particular toxin?
"Justin?" he called out. The darker man appeared a moment later.
"Take a look at this," Sven said handing him the sheet.
"Metaldehyde?" Justin's eyes scanned the sheet briefly looking questioningly at his companion. "What is it?"
"It is used to bait slugs and snails to control their population in agricultural communities."
"How did Fury get it into his blood?"
"Good question."
"How can we help him?"
Sven shook his head sadly as he set up an IV next to Fury's bed. "I do not know if we can. I will start him on diazepam."
"Do you think it was introduced through the stab wound?"
"Possibly."
"We have to warn her."
--------------------------------------
Rio called Shannon as soon as she hung up with Jeff and Andrew.
"There ya are."
"I called you back as soon as I was finished," she admonished. "I said that is what I would do."
"I kno', I kno'," he answered sheepishly. "Cain' blame me fo' bein' anxious."
"Yes, I can. Where is Matt?"
"Asleep inside."
"How did you get him to change his mind about me?"
"I jus' waited fo' 'im t' calm down an' pointed out th' facts."
Rio assumed a skeptical pose and waited for him to continue.
"I swear," he sounded offended. "I didn' DO anythin' else."
"Very well," she sighed. "Jeff seemed pleased that his brother will not keep me from calling him and Andrew. I am still not sure it is the best idea."
"Yo' neva sure," he laughed. "Where ya gonna be this weekend?"
"Training, why?"
"Amy's joinin' Matt, an' I'm roomin' alone."
"And?" Rio asked nervously, suspecting Shannon's next statement.
"Yo' gonna be my roommate."
"Oh no, I am not!" she exclaimed and heard his soft laughter echoing through the phone line.
"I 'ave ya scared stiff, huh?"
Rio's mouth hung open. This went beyond daring, she decided. It was downright insulting. How could he assume she would just willingly capitulate to this demand?
"I do not think that has anything to do with it," she hissed. "And for your information, I am not afraid of you. Why would you think I would agree to this?"
"Ya kno' why."
"I do not."
"Ya do," he said firmly. "I tol' ya we're no' goin' backward."
"And I indicated that we are not going forward."
"Yo' fears are unfounded. Please, li'l girl? Don' make me beg. It ain' pretty."
"I am NOT going to spend the night with you," she said unmoved by his cute act. "I have promised myself that I would not do that again. It is too hazardous . . . for both of us."
"How d'ya figure," he asked in a low, dangerous voice she hadn't heard before.
She sighed again, weighing her words carefully. "I cannot live with myself if anything happens to you, Shannon. You have come to mean too much to me recently."
"I can take care o' myself."
"That is not always true," she reminded him. "And not completely what I meant."
"Yo' NOT dangerous t' me, baby."
"I am."
"No," he insisted. "Look, please jus' meet me in th' room nex' weekend. We can talk 'bout ya stayin' when ya git here."
"Now I know THAT is a bad idea."
"Please, baby?" he pleaded. "Promise me?"
Rio knew she would be crossing a line if she agreed to meet him. She had to refuse him, no matter what she wanted to do. She had to put her foot down now, before it was too late.
"Okay," she said, shocking herself most of all. WHAT, she thought. What the hell did I just say?
"Beautiful," he whispered into her ear.