Title: The Road Less Traveled (31/?)
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: Review! Yay! In this chapter: Rio makes her first title defense. Jeff plots to take her away from Shannon. Justin can't stop worrying about her.
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: Status quo on the first Rio stories. They're coming. I've gotten a few feedbacks on Shannon's behavior in the story. He is being pretty possessive. It will be explained why in later chapters. I'd just like to say that I don't know how Shannon is in real life and I've never met him. (In fact, on the slim chance he ever reads this: Please accept my apologies if you find this offensive.) This portrayal is fictional and not meant in any way to represent the real Shannon Moore's personality.
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Rio waited patiently in the ring for her opponent to arrive. She was ready for her first title defense and hoped the fighter was as well. She looked around the audience not seeing anybody familiar and sighed with relief. She had asked Shannon not to come tonight and, surprisingly, he had agreed without arguing. She assured that she would return to him later that night and he'd said that she'd better or he was coming after her. That had made her smile, not to mention the smirk on Matt's face as he vowed to help his friend look for her. It was strange but nice to have someone care for her again.
Suddenly a metal song hit the loudspeakers and a large blonde man in neon green tights and yellow mask came charging into the ring. She was ready for him, slipping quite easily into her fighting mode. She flipped out of his way and pulled him down with her. It was strange to adjust to fighting with the large gold belt around her waist, but she was determined to fight like a true Warrior Series champion. Like her match with Fury, there was no communication, just action. She had never seen this competitor in the ring before and knew she would have a tougher time anticipating his moves because of it.
The man rolled back to a standing position in front of one of the turnbuckles. Rio rolled out of the ring, grabbed that turnbuckle's bar and spun her self around it, knocking him off of his feet. She then flipped her legs up onto the top of it and swung her body up to a standing position, readying herself to pounce. She leaped onto him and made sure to land on his ribs, cracking one. Flipping off of him, she raised her hands to the roaring crowd. Her opponent lay curled up in front of her, grasping his ribs.
Rio regarded him sadly as he writhed around at her feet. What had become of whom she used be anyway? Tara would recoil before killing a spider. She never would have condoned fighting in such a sport. Rio shook her head to clear it of the young New England woman. She couldn't afford the distraction now, and that was why she wanted Shannon to stay away. She flipped back just in time to miss her opponent's blow as he kicked out a boot towards her. He pulled himself to his feet and assumed an unsteady attack position. Rio frowned deeply and followed suite. He advanced on her and she sidestepped him, roundhouse kicking him in his injured rib. He dropped to his knees. She then twisted his arm to dislocate it and backhand slapped him. He went down quickly and stayed down.
The crowd leapt to its collective feet and screamed their approval. Rio stood back and watched as the medics came down to attend the young man she didn't even know. She sighed to herself then turned to the audience to lean into her customary bow before walking back up the ramp.
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Jeff was humming to himself as he flipped through the television channels. Andrew was reading a magazine on the next bed. Jeff still hadn't told his Canadian friend about his plans to pry Rio away from Shannon. He didn't want to piss the larger man off, seeing as he was one of his few remaining friends. Matt wasn't receptive to the plot, pointing out that Rio had a right to see who she wanted when she wanted. But Jeff felt that her new relationship wasn't entirely her decision and therefore turnabout was fair play.
Andrew's ringing cell phone broke both men's concentration. The blonde wrestler frowned slightly as picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he said, probably fearing it would be Kim again. The younger Hardy had offered to help Andrew out with his problem but it was politely declined. The big man was undoubtedly wary of Jeff's schemes. "Rio! How goes it?"
Jeff clicked of the television and looked over at the other bed in rapt attention. He fully intended to wrestle that phone from his friend if he had to. It had been two days since he'd spoken with her and he was not taking kindly to Shannon's obvious interference.
"So you annihilated another one, huh?" Andrew laughed. "Stop sounding sad about it. He was going to do it to you if you didn't get him first." He paused for a moment listening to what she was saying. "No, I don't think that," he appeared to be arguing with her now. "You aren't a bad person for defending yourself. I don't care if he didn't do anything to you before, he was going to do it to you tonight."
He looked over to Jeff in exasperation and the Carolinian didn't hesitate, holding his hand out for the phone. Andrew told Rio to hold on and handed it over, apparently trusting his friend to give it back before she hung up.
"Hey, Ri," Jeff greeted her happily. He was hoping to keep his tone light so as not to scare her off. "How's it shakin'?"
"Hello, Jeff," she said in a small voice. "I am well, thank you. And you?"
"Betta now. Ya don' call me anymo'," he pouted and smiled when he heard her laugh.
"I call you as often as I used to," she protested. "You are just insatiable."
"Tha' I am," he nodded. "Wha's this I'm hearin' 'boutchew feelin' bad 'boutcho' win?"
She sighed into the phone before she answered him. "You know how I hate hurting those who have done me no harm in the past," she said. "I did not even know the young man's name tonight and I am fearing that I may have ended his career."
"Wha'dja do ta him?"
"I broke at least one rib and dislocated his shoulder for sure. I may have given him a slight concussion as well, but I do not know."
"Non' o' tha' is career ending, baby," he said reassuringly, locking eyes with Andrew as he spoke. He was being careful not to alert the other man's suspicions, as well as Rio's. "'E's probally already outta th' hospital."
"I guess," she said dejectedly.
"Wha's Shanny say 'bout it?" he asked deliberately keeping his tone light.
"I am not back at the hotel," she explained. "Matt and Shannon do not know yet."
Jeff felt a small kind of euphoria knowing that she'd called Andrew and him before seeing Shannon and Matt. He was still surprised at how close Matt was trying to get to her these days seeing as he was her biggest nemesis not long ago. Matt had told Jeff he'd been neglecting to look into her true self before, being blinded by his anger. And now that he was getting to know her, he was fascinated. Jeff didn't mind, knowing that Matt wasn't a threat. He just wished his brother would take his side in this battle with Shannon.
"Well, I bet 'e'll tell ya th' same thin'," he replied benignly. Drew was still pissed at Shannon, so he was staring at the wall and muttering to himself now. Jeff gave him an amused look.
"I suppose," she said. "Are you and Andrew all right, Jeff?"
"Sure," he said. "Why wouldn' we be?"
"I do not know," she said. "I just wanted to be certain."
"Well, ya can be mo' certain if ya see us," he coaxed. "I's not like Drew an' I git ta see ya as often as Matt an' Shan." He noticed Andrew giving him a thoughtful look and knew he needed to avoid coming off as too pushy. "If ya wanna, that is."
"I do not know what Shannon's schedule is like," she hedged.
"Wha's 'e gotta do wit' that? We can always see ya this weekend at th' pay per view."
Rio was silently considering his idea. He could feel her hesitation through the line and knew she wanted to visit with him but wasn't sure what Shannon would do.
"Matt an' Shan'll be there, too, baby," he said. "'E won' git mad." He saw Andrew's face twist in annoyance and knew the big man agreed with the idea so he could have a word with Shannon. That would fit nicely into Jeff's plans, as he would have Rio to himself for a while.
"I suppose that would be fine," she said slowly. "I will not be able to attend the show, though."
"Didn' 'xpect ya to," he grinned. "'Ere's Drew back."
He handed the receiver back Andrew and listened quietly to the rest of the conversation. He could tell that his friend was excited at the prospect of seeing Rio again, even though he would be spending much of his time threatening Shannon. This was going to be cool.
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"Have you learned much from our new friend?" Justin asked when Sven walked into the study.
"He remembers little right now," the blonde man said. "But I expect he will come up with more details as he recovers."
"We may not have that much time," Justin grimaced, his concern for Rio growing. He was keeping a sharp eye on Henry but knew the man was a slippery bastard. "Maybe we should just eliminate him altogether,."
"Do you think Rio would approve of that?" Sven scowled at him. "I think we have no choice but to wait it out."
"Normally I might agree," Justin returned. "But her new relationship troubles me. You saw her pause as well as I did last night. I think her concentration has been compromised."
"That may be true," Sven said grimly. "But she will not welcome such an interference now when she is so close to completing her goal. I do not wish to upset her at this juncture. We have warned her of Henry's use of poison and she is careful not to let any knives knick her. I believe she is safe enough for the short term."
"I wish I shared your confidence, dear one," Justin sighed. "I do not like her having any weaknesses while she is apart from us."
"I like it no better than you."
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Shannon pulled Rio toward him when she entered the room. He buried his nose in her neck and immediately began to strip her.
"Do you not think it would be better if I were to shower first?" she laughed.
"Maybe," he smiled. "I been worried 'boutchew since ya left."
"I know," she said. "I do not mean to cause you concern."
"Ya cain' help it, baby," he said kissing her gently. "I worry 'cause I care."
"I know."
She reluctantly stepped out of his embrace, removed her title belt and into the bathroom. He prowled the room until she would come back from showering and removing the silver paint. He plopped down on the bed and stared at the bathroom door. He'd spent the better part of the night trying to keep from following her to the small arena for her match, remembering Sven's warning about being her weakness. He didn't want to make matters any more dangerous for her than they already were. Matt had told him he'd made the right decision.
Finally the door opened and she came back to him clean and paint-free, her pale skin glowing. He wished she would get comfortable enough to get rid of the mask, though.
"I spoke to Jeff and Andrew earlier," she said.
His mood plummeted. Great, he thought, now Jeff's plotted something.
"Why?"
"I called Andrew to let him know how my defense went," she said watching him to gauge his reaction. "I thought you said you did not mind if I kept in touch with my friends."
Shannon narrowed his eyes as he looked away. He'd only told her that so he wouldn't push her away. Matt said he'd warned her about Jeff's 'feeling' for her. She knew what the dare devil was after. At least she should know. But any outburst from him now would seem like the rantings of a jealous boyfriend."
"I don' really mind," he said.
"Jeff said I would see them at the pay per view this weekend."
"I wasn' plannin' ta go since I'm no' scheduled," Shannon said hopefully.
"But Matt is," Rio countered. "You should be there to support him."
It was no use fighting about it, Shannon knew. He would just have to capitulate and watch her like a hawk.
"Yo' right," he smiled as he pulled her onto the bed beside him and laid her back so he could look down at her. "We'll go."
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: Review! Yay! In this chapter: Rio makes her first title defense. Jeff plots to take her away from Shannon. Justin can't stop worrying about her.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Status quo on the first Rio stories. They're coming. I've gotten a few feedbacks on Shannon's behavior in the story. He is being pretty possessive. It will be explained why in later chapters. I'd just like to say that I don't know how Shannon is in real life and I've never met him. (In fact, on the slim chance he ever reads this: Please accept my apologies if you find this offensive.) This portrayal is fictional and not meant in any way to represent the real Shannon Moore's personality.
--------------------------------------
Rio waited patiently in the ring for her opponent to arrive. She was ready for her first title defense and hoped the fighter was as well. She looked around the audience not seeing anybody familiar and sighed with relief. She had asked Shannon not to come tonight and, surprisingly, he had agreed without arguing. She assured that she would return to him later that night and he'd said that she'd better or he was coming after her. That had made her smile, not to mention the smirk on Matt's face as he vowed to help his friend look for her. It was strange but nice to have someone care for her again.
Suddenly a metal song hit the loudspeakers and a large blonde man in neon green tights and yellow mask came charging into the ring. She was ready for him, slipping quite easily into her fighting mode. She flipped out of his way and pulled him down with her. It was strange to adjust to fighting with the large gold belt around her waist, but she was determined to fight like a true Warrior Series champion. Like her match with Fury, there was no communication, just action. She had never seen this competitor in the ring before and knew she would have a tougher time anticipating his moves because of it.
The man rolled back to a standing position in front of one of the turnbuckles. Rio rolled out of the ring, grabbed that turnbuckle's bar and spun her self around it, knocking him off of his feet. She then flipped her legs up onto the top of it and swung her body up to a standing position, readying herself to pounce. She leaped onto him and made sure to land on his ribs, cracking one. Flipping off of him, she raised her hands to the roaring crowd. Her opponent lay curled up in front of her, grasping his ribs.
Rio regarded him sadly as he writhed around at her feet. What had become of whom she used be anyway? Tara would recoil before killing a spider. She never would have condoned fighting in such a sport. Rio shook her head to clear it of the young New England woman. She couldn't afford the distraction now, and that was why she wanted Shannon to stay away. She flipped back just in time to miss her opponent's blow as he kicked out a boot towards her. He pulled himself to his feet and assumed an unsteady attack position. Rio frowned deeply and followed suite. He advanced on her and she sidestepped him, roundhouse kicking him in his injured rib. He dropped to his knees. She then twisted his arm to dislocate it and backhand slapped him. He went down quickly and stayed down.
The crowd leapt to its collective feet and screamed their approval. Rio stood back and watched as the medics came down to attend the young man she didn't even know. She sighed to herself then turned to the audience to lean into her customary bow before walking back up the ramp.
--------------------------------------
Jeff was humming to himself as he flipped through the television channels. Andrew was reading a magazine on the next bed. Jeff still hadn't told his Canadian friend about his plans to pry Rio away from Shannon. He didn't want to piss the larger man off, seeing as he was one of his few remaining friends. Matt wasn't receptive to the plot, pointing out that Rio had a right to see who she wanted when she wanted. But Jeff felt that her new relationship wasn't entirely her decision and therefore turnabout was fair play.
Andrew's ringing cell phone broke both men's concentration. The blonde wrestler frowned slightly as picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he said, probably fearing it would be Kim again. The younger Hardy had offered to help Andrew out with his problem but it was politely declined. The big man was undoubtedly wary of Jeff's schemes. "Rio! How goes it?"
Jeff clicked of the television and looked over at the other bed in rapt attention. He fully intended to wrestle that phone from his friend if he had to. It had been two days since he'd spoken with her and he was not taking kindly to Shannon's obvious interference.
"So you annihilated another one, huh?" Andrew laughed. "Stop sounding sad about it. He was going to do it to you if you didn't get him first." He paused for a moment listening to what she was saying. "No, I don't think that," he appeared to be arguing with her now. "You aren't a bad person for defending yourself. I don't care if he didn't do anything to you before, he was going to do it to you tonight."
He looked over to Jeff in exasperation and the Carolinian didn't hesitate, holding his hand out for the phone. Andrew told Rio to hold on and handed it over, apparently trusting his friend to give it back before she hung up.
"Hey, Ri," Jeff greeted her happily. He was hoping to keep his tone light so as not to scare her off. "How's it shakin'?"
"Hello, Jeff," she said in a small voice. "I am well, thank you. And you?"
"Betta now. Ya don' call me anymo'," he pouted and smiled when he heard her laugh.
"I call you as often as I used to," she protested. "You are just insatiable."
"Tha' I am," he nodded. "Wha's this I'm hearin' 'boutchew feelin' bad 'boutcho' win?"
She sighed into the phone before she answered him. "You know how I hate hurting those who have done me no harm in the past," she said. "I did not even know the young man's name tonight and I am fearing that I may have ended his career."
"Wha'dja do ta him?"
"I broke at least one rib and dislocated his shoulder for sure. I may have given him a slight concussion as well, but I do not know."
"Non' o' tha' is career ending, baby," he said reassuringly, locking eyes with Andrew as he spoke. He was being careful not to alert the other man's suspicions, as well as Rio's. "'E's probally already outta th' hospital."
"I guess," she said dejectedly.
"Wha's Shanny say 'bout it?" he asked deliberately keeping his tone light.
"I am not back at the hotel," she explained. "Matt and Shannon do not know yet."
Jeff felt a small kind of euphoria knowing that she'd called Andrew and him before seeing Shannon and Matt. He was still surprised at how close Matt was trying to get to her these days seeing as he was her biggest nemesis not long ago. Matt had told Jeff he'd been neglecting to look into her true self before, being blinded by his anger. And now that he was getting to know her, he was fascinated. Jeff didn't mind, knowing that Matt wasn't a threat. He just wished his brother would take his side in this battle with Shannon.
"Well, I bet 'e'll tell ya th' same thin'," he replied benignly. Drew was still pissed at Shannon, so he was staring at the wall and muttering to himself now. Jeff gave him an amused look.
"I suppose," she said. "Are you and Andrew all right, Jeff?"
"Sure," he said. "Why wouldn' we be?"
"I do not know," she said. "I just wanted to be certain."
"Well, ya can be mo' certain if ya see us," he coaxed. "I's not like Drew an' I git ta see ya as often as Matt an' Shan." He noticed Andrew giving him a thoughtful look and knew he needed to avoid coming off as too pushy. "If ya wanna, that is."
"I do not know what Shannon's schedule is like," she hedged.
"Wha's 'e gotta do wit' that? We can always see ya this weekend at th' pay per view."
Rio was silently considering his idea. He could feel her hesitation through the line and knew she wanted to visit with him but wasn't sure what Shannon would do.
"Matt an' Shan'll be there, too, baby," he said. "'E won' git mad." He saw Andrew's face twist in annoyance and knew the big man agreed with the idea so he could have a word with Shannon. That would fit nicely into Jeff's plans, as he would have Rio to himself for a while.
"I suppose that would be fine," she said slowly. "I will not be able to attend the show, though."
"Didn' 'xpect ya to," he grinned. "'Ere's Drew back."
He handed the receiver back Andrew and listened quietly to the rest of the conversation. He could tell that his friend was excited at the prospect of seeing Rio again, even though he would be spending much of his time threatening Shannon. This was going to be cool.
--------------------------------------
"Have you learned much from our new friend?" Justin asked when Sven walked into the study.
"He remembers little right now," the blonde man said. "But I expect he will come up with more details as he recovers."
"We may not have that much time," Justin grimaced, his concern for Rio growing. He was keeping a sharp eye on Henry but knew the man was a slippery bastard. "Maybe we should just eliminate him altogether,."
"Do you think Rio would approve of that?" Sven scowled at him. "I think we have no choice but to wait it out."
"Normally I might agree," Justin returned. "But her new relationship troubles me. You saw her pause as well as I did last night. I think her concentration has been compromised."
"That may be true," Sven said grimly. "But she will not welcome such an interference now when she is so close to completing her goal. I do not wish to upset her at this juncture. We have warned her of Henry's use of poison and she is careful not to let any knives knick her. I believe she is safe enough for the short term."
"I wish I shared your confidence, dear one," Justin sighed. "I do not like her having any weaknesses while she is apart from us."
"I like it no better than you."
--------------------------------------
Shannon pulled Rio toward him when she entered the room. He buried his nose in her neck and immediately began to strip her.
"Do you not think it would be better if I were to shower first?" she laughed.
"Maybe," he smiled. "I been worried 'boutchew since ya left."
"I know," she said. "I do not mean to cause you concern."
"Ya cain' help it, baby," he said kissing her gently. "I worry 'cause I care."
"I know."
She reluctantly stepped out of his embrace, removed her title belt and into the bathroom. He prowled the room until she would come back from showering and removing the silver paint. He plopped down on the bed and stared at the bathroom door. He'd spent the better part of the night trying to keep from following her to the small arena for her match, remembering Sven's warning about being her weakness. He didn't want to make matters any more dangerous for her than they already were. Matt had told him he'd made the right decision.
Finally the door opened and she came back to him clean and paint-free, her pale skin glowing. He wished she would get comfortable enough to get rid of the mask, though.
"I spoke to Jeff and Andrew earlier," she said.
His mood plummeted. Great, he thought, now Jeff's plotted something.
"Why?"
"I called Andrew to let him know how my defense went," she said watching him to gauge his reaction. "I thought you said you did not mind if I kept in touch with my friends."
Shannon narrowed his eyes as he looked away. He'd only told her that so he wouldn't push her away. Matt said he'd warned her about Jeff's 'feeling' for her. She knew what the dare devil was after. At least she should know. But any outburst from him now would seem like the rantings of a jealous boyfriend."
"I don' really mind," he said.
"Jeff said I would see them at the pay per view this weekend."
"I wasn' plannin' ta go since I'm no' scheduled," Shannon said hopefully.
"But Matt is," Rio countered. "You should be there to support him."
It was no use fighting about it, Shannon knew. He would just have to capitulate and watch her like a hawk.
"Yo' right," he smiled as he pulled her onto the bed beside him and laid her back so he could look down at her. "We'll go."