Title: The Road Less Traveled (42/?)
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: Thanks for the review! In this chapter: Andrew sees Tara and lets her have it for leaving. Jeff and Andrew go to another Series event.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've finally started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
As always, I know nothing about the WWE superstars that appear in this story. The personalities used here are purely fiction and not meant in any way to represent the true natures of the individuals. And, as always, apologies to Shannon Moore (just in case he or anyone he knows ever reads this) for writing his character as so aggressively possessive. (I can't help it. I find that kind of hero attractive. *Wink*)
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"Okay, I think that's all I'll need for now," Tara said as she hefted a duffle bag to her shoulder and took a final glance around her bedroom. She looked over at Shannon who was quietly surveying her home.
"I neva thought about how yo' house would look," he said fingering a framed picture of her and Ben standing on the front porch.
The photo was taken by Tony, Ben's friend, on the day they closed on the purchase. Tara had been so happy that day. It was the first real home she would live in since her parents had died. It would be her home, given to her by her husband, someone who loved her. She remembered that day well. When Ben died she thought she would never have that feeling again. But Justin and Sven had other plans for her and she'd been given a new family, which she loved. She was still missing that feeling of belonging, though. They made good 'fathers' but she missed having a love of her own.
Until Shannon. She could see he was uncomfortable with the reminders of the past she'd lost. Most likely he felt that no matter what he meant to her he would always be fighting the memory of a ghost. She didn't want him to feel that way, and took another look around her. Then she dropped her bag, walked over to where he stood and gently turned the picture over. He looked at her questioningly.
"It took me a long time to accept that he's gone," she said. "It took an even longer time for me to get back into the world of the living."
"I can see that," he said staring deeply into her eyes.
"But you don't see it all," she said. "I loved him with all of my heart, but I had to let him go. I stayed alive until I met you, but you brought life back to me."
Shannon looked as if he couldn't put what he was feeling into words. He settled for silently watching her.
"Sven once told me that Ben would not want me to honor his memory by killing the one thing he had loved most in the world," she explained. "I had stopped eating after the funeral and weighed about eighty-six pounds when he and Justin came back for me. When he said that to me I realized that that was exactly what I was doing. Killing myself. And Ben would have been horrified."
"'E mean' ev'rythin' ta ya," he whispered.
"And now YOU mean everything to me," she answered.
"Are ya mad I'm makin' ya leave yo' home?"
"I used to think these four walls constituted a home," she smiled. "But they can't be that without a heart to share them with. When I'm with you . . ."
"Yo' home," he finished firmly with tears in his eyes. He took both of her hands and drew her into his arms. "I feel th' same way, baby."
She kissed him softly to let him know she'd meant every word she'd said to him and then wrapped her arms around his waist. They stayed like that for a long while, until her telephone ring shrilled insistently.
"I wonda who's callin' ya here?" Shannon said.
"There are only three people I can think of," she said picking up the phone. "Hello?"
"Small one," Justin greeted her.
"Well, if it isn't Shannon's accomplice," she grinned. "How are you, Justin?"
Shannon broke into a huge grin himself and crossed his arms.
"I am well," Justin answered. "I trust you have forgiven me for your capture."
"Who could stay mad at you?" she countered. "You never cease to surprise me though. I thought you didn't approve my relationship with Shannon."
"He has proven himself acceptable," the dark haired man groused. "I only hope he continues to do so."
"He will," she assured her guardian. "How are Sven and Todd? Do they miss me?"
"Sven makes no secret of it," he answered in an amused tone. "And Todd had started slipping in his training until I told him that if you had to come back to re-motivate him you would do so accordingly."
"You didn't," she laughed. "He knows I'd never hurt him again. Not very nice of you to threaten him, 'Dad'."
"'Dad'," he repeated. "I like that. Does that make Sven 'Mom'?"
"YOU try calling him that," she chuckled.
"That would prove amusing," he said. "Enough of this banter. I did want to see how you are but I also have another issue to discuss."
"What's wrong?" she asked instantly alarmed. "You're all okay, aren't you?"
"Yes," he said. "But your friends are making themselves targets."
"What?" she asked turning to look at Shannon who scowled in confusion. "Which ones? Shannon hasn't left my side for more than ten minutes since he found me."
"Not Shannon," Justin sighed. "He would never expose himself, and thus you, to danger. I have no concerns about his intelligence. It is Jeff and Andrew that worry me."
"What's Jeff done now?" Tara sighed.
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"We can't let her find out what we're doing," Andrew reminded Jeff over breakfast. "She'd kill us herself."
"I'm no' worried 'bout 'er," Jeff smiled. "I jus' wanner safe."
"Me, too," Andrew said glaring into the mirror behind Jeff's head. He had a perfect view of the door from this vantage point. "You think Vince'll go for your idea?"
"I tol' 'im 'ow those Series fightas stalked Shanny," Jeff replied. "'E was plenty mad. So long as 'e keeps the matta to a RAW house show, we should 'ave no problem keepin' it from 'er."
"Here she comes now," Andrew said hurriedly. "Keep it under your hat."
"Ya don' hafta keep remindin' me!"
"Hello, Andrew. Hello, Jeff," Tara said approaching the table and glowering down at them. Shannon brought up the rear with a slight smile on his face.
'Crap," Andrew thought. "Hey, kiddo! How goes it?"
"You tell me," she said dropping down onto the chair next to him.
"Nothin' much," Jeff said warily as he forked up some more eggs. "Jus' gittin' ready ta workout wit' Drew. How 'boutchew, Shanny?"
"Oh, there's gonna be a workout, alright," the smaller man grinned. "An' Imma stan' back an' watch it."
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Jeff looked from Shannon to Tara with a foreboding feeling. He looked back up at Andrew in puzzlement but the big man looked just as baffled.
"Are ya mad a' me again, baby?"
"Don't you 'baby' me, Blue man," she hissed. Shannon let out a loud guffaw at this, much to Jeff's annoyance. "Why are you two still going to the Series events?"
'Shit,' Jeff thought. 'How'd she find out?'
"Don't even THINK about lying to me either," she went on. "Justin SAW you!"
Andrew let out a soft oath and Shannon looked like he was about to fall off his chair. Tara angry was nothing like Rio. She put all of her irritation into every word. If she weren't so adorable he might actually be a little scared.
"We were just seeing what they're up to now," Andrew tried to placate her.
"Why?" she hissed turning a fulminating glare his way.
"Curious?" Andrew said uncertainly.
"Talk!" she commanded turning back to Jeff.
"We're no' doin' anythin' bad," he insisted.
"Liar," Shannon squeaked. "Ya got tha' look on yo' face. Th' one tha' says yo' upta no good."
"Shut up, Shannon!"
"You're going after him aren't you?" she demanded incredulously. "You two are doing exactly what I've been trying to avoid for so long and putting yourselves on the line!"
"We swear we're not!" Andrew insisted.
Vince McMahon and his daughter Stephanie suddenly materialized at the table. Jeff wanted to crawl under the tablecloth but held himself still waiting for doom to reign.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything," Vince said looking at all of them.
"No, you're not, Mr. McMahon," Tara said in a very professional voice. She rose and held out her hand to the wrestling kingpin. "It's an honor to meet you and your daughter. I'm Tara, Shannon's girlfriend."
Jeff saw red for a few seconds at that introduction but said nothing.
"Hi, Tara," Stephanie said shaking the small woman's hand after her father released his handshake. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"I was just going to tell my two RAW performers here that I've set up the match they asked me for earlier."
"Wha' match is that, if ya don' mind my askin'?" Shannon interjected earning an icy glare from both Jeff and Andrew.
"They asked for an inter-promotional match at a house show next week with some fighters that were causing trouble a while back."
"You don't say?" Tara said narrowing her eyes at Jeff. "What club are we talking about?"
"A small outfit that came from Mexico originally, I think," Vince said. "Warrior Series? Yes, I believe that's the name. I just got off the phone with the owner."
"Well, that should be very entertaining," Tara said in a neutral tone.
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"Are you out of your minds!?" Tara exploded when she marched them up to her and Shannon's room. "I should kill you myself!"
"Ya wouldn' hurt us baby," Jeff said calmly.
"Oh, yeah?" she snorted. "I feel like beating the holy hell out of you, then coming back for the UNHOLY hell!"
Shannon fell on the bed laughing and Jeff looked like he wished he were alone with his friend so he could smack him upside the head.
"We're gonna git 'em fo' ya," Jeff whined.
"I could get them MYSELF, Jeff," she gritted between her teeth. "I CHOSE to let them go because I choose not to become like them. How many times do we have to have this conversation?"
"They're dangerous people," Andrew mumbled.
"I think I, of all people, know that," she replied. "Justin was going to put them out of business safely and quietly. Now that plan has to change."
Shannon suddenly stopped laughing and pulled himself off the bed, stalking toward her. "Wha's THAT supposed ta mean?"
"It means," she said giving him her most determined look, "that Rio's apparently riding again."
"NO!" all three men shouted at once. But she looked unmoved.
"There's no other way," she said knowing he would be difficult to convince. "You're planning on fighting Sasquatch, who is telling everyone I'm sleeping with him." She shuddered, "Ewww. And Justin can't keep a lock on Henry's activities in a WWE arena."
"I don' wantcha ta do this!" Shannon growled.
"Surprisingly, neither do I," she answered. "But don't worry. I'll have PLENTY of back up."
"Damn right," he replied. "One thin' tho'."
"What?"
"If I letcha do this, ya gotta promise me somethin'."
"What do you want me to promise?"
"I don' know yet," he said mysteriously. "I jus' wanna be sure I'll git it when I do kno'."
"Tha's no' right," Jeff argued for her.
"Keep outta this, big bro," Shannon said keeping his eyes on Tara who was decidedly wary of him all of a sudden. Finally she nodded.
"Fine. Whatever you want. But I'm going."
"Beautiful," he smiled.
************************************
PLEASE NOTE: I've finally started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
************************************
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: Thanks for the review! In this chapter: Andrew sees Tara and lets her have it for leaving. Jeff and Andrew go to another Series event.
Distribution: Just in case anyone's interested in it, please ask me first. More than likely, I will agree.
--------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I've finally started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
As always, I know nothing about the WWE superstars that appear in this story. The personalities used here are purely fiction and not meant in any way to represent the true natures of the individuals. And, as always, apologies to Shannon Moore (just in case he or anyone he knows ever reads this) for writing his character as so aggressively possessive. (I can't help it. I find that kind of hero attractive. *Wink*)
--------------------------------------
"Okay, I think that's all I'll need for now," Tara said as she hefted a duffle bag to her shoulder and took a final glance around her bedroom. She looked over at Shannon who was quietly surveying her home.
"I neva thought about how yo' house would look," he said fingering a framed picture of her and Ben standing on the front porch.
The photo was taken by Tony, Ben's friend, on the day they closed on the purchase. Tara had been so happy that day. It was the first real home she would live in since her parents had died. It would be her home, given to her by her husband, someone who loved her. She remembered that day well. When Ben died she thought she would never have that feeling again. But Justin and Sven had other plans for her and she'd been given a new family, which she loved. She was still missing that feeling of belonging, though. They made good 'fathers' but she missed having a love of her own.
Until Shannon. She could see he was uncomfortable with the reminders of the past she'd lost. Most likely he felt that no matter what he meant to her he would always be fighting the memory of a ghost. She didn't want him to feel that way, and took another look around her. Then she dropped her bag, walked over to where he stood and gently turned the picture over. He looked at her questioningly.
"It took me a long time to accept that he's gone," she said. "It took an even longer time for me to get back into the world of the living."
"I can see that," he said staring deeply into her eyes.
"But you don't see it all," she said. "I loved him with all of my heart, but I had to let him go. I stayed alive until I met you, but you brought life back to me."
Shannon looked as if he couldn't put what he was feeling into words. He settled for silently watching her.
"Sven once told me that Ben would not want me to honor his memory by killing the one thing he had loved most in the world," she explained. "I had stopped eating after the funeral and weighed about eighty-six pounds when he and Justin came back for me. When he said that to me I realized that that was exactly what I was doing. Killing myself. And Ben would have been horrified."
"'E mean' ev'rythin' ta ya," he whispered.
"And now YOU mean everything to me," she answered.
"Are ya mad I'm makin' ya leave yo' home?"
"I used to think these four walls constituted a home," she smiled. "But they can't be that without a heart to share them with. When I'm with you . . ."
"Yo' home," he finished firmly with tears in his eyes. He took both of her hands and drew her into his arms. "I feel th' same way, baby."
She kissed him softly to let him know she'd meant every word she'd said to him and then wrapped her arms around his waist. They stayed like that for a long while, until her telephone ring shrilled insistently.
"I wonda who's callin' ya here?" Shannon said.
"There are only three people I can think of," she said picking up the phone. "Hello?"
"Small one," Justin greeted her.
"Well, if it isn't Shannon's accomplice," she grinned. "How are you, Justin?"
Shannon broke into a huge grin himself and crossed his arms.
"I am well," Justin answered. "I trust you have forgiven me for your capture."
"Who could stay mad at you?" she countered. "You never cease to surprise me though. I thought you didn't approve my relationship with Shannon."
"He has proven himself acceptable," the dark haired man groused. "I only hope he continues to do so."
"He will," she assured her guardian. "How are Sven and Todd? Do they miss me?"
"Sven makes no secret of it," he answered in an amused tone. "And Todd had started slipping in his training until I told him that if you had to come back to re-motivate him you would do so accordingly."
"You didn't," she laughed. "He knows I'd never hurt him again. Not very nice of you to threaten him, 'Dad'."
"'Dad'," he repeated. "I like that. Does that make Sven 'Mom'?"
"YOU try calling him that," she chuckled.
"That would prove amusing," he said. "Enough of this banter. I did want to see how you are but I also have another issue to discuss."
"What's wrong?" she asked instantly alarmed. "You're all okay, aren't you?"
"Yes," he said. "But your friends are making themselves targets."
"What?" she asked turning to look at Shannon who scowled in confusion. "Which ones? Shannon hasn't left my side for more than ten minutes since he found me."
"Not Shannon," Justin sighed. "He would never expose himself, and thus you, to danger. I have no concerns about his intelligence. It is Jeff and Andrew that worry me."
"What's Jeff done now?" Tara sighed.
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"We can't let her find out what we're doing," Andrew reminded Jeff over breakfast. "She'd kill us herself."
"I'm no' worried 'bout 'er," Jeff smiled. "I jus' wanner safe."
"Me, too," Andrew said glaring into the mirror behind Jeff's head. He had a perfect view of the door from this vantage point. "You think Vince'll go for your idea?"
"I tol' 'im 'ow those Series fightas stalked Shanny," Jeff replied. "'E was plenty mad. So long as 'e keeps the matta to a RAW house show, we should 'ave no problem keepin' it from 'er."
"Here she comes now," Andrew said hurriedly. "Keep it under your hat."
"Ya don' hafta keep remindin' me!"
"Hello, Andrew. Hello, Jeff," Tara said approaching the table and glowering down at them. Shannon brought up the rear with a slight smile on his face.
'Crap," Andrew thought. "Hey, kiddo! How goes it?"
"You tell me," she said dropping down onto the chair next to him.
"Nothin' much," Jeff said warily as he forked up some more eggs. "Jus' gittin' ready ta workout wit' Drew. How 'boutchew, Shanny?"
"Oh, there's gonna be a workout, alright," the smaller man grinned. "An' Imma stan' back an' watch it."
--------------------------------------
Jeff looked from Shannon to Tara with a foreboding feeling. He looked back up at Andrew in puzzlement but the big man looked just as baffled.
"Are ya mad a' me again, baby?"
"Don't you 'baby' me, Blue man," she hissed. Shannon let out a loud guffaw at this, much to Jeff's annoyance. "Why are you two still going to the Series events?"
'Shit,' Jeff thought. 'How'd she find out?'
"Don't even THINK about lying to me either," she went on. "Justin SAW you!"
Andrew let out a soft oath and Shannon looked like he was about to fall off his chair. Tara angry was nothing like Rio. She put all of her irritation into every word. If she weren't so adorable he might actually be a little scared.
"We were just seeing what they're up to now," Andrew tried to placate her.
"Why?" she hissed turning a fulminating glare his way.
"Curious?" Andrew said uncertainly.
"Talk!" she commanded turning back to Jeff.
"We're no' doin' anythin' bad," he insisted.
"Liar," Shannon squeaked. "Ya got tha' look on yo' face. Th' one tha' says yo' upta no good."
"Shut up, Shannon!"
"You're going after him aren't you?" she demanded incredulously. "You two are doing exactly what I've been trying to avoid for so long and putting yourselves on the line!"
"We swear we're not!" Andrew insisted.
Vince McMahon and his daughter Stephanie suddenly materialized at the table. Jeff wanted to crawl under the tablecloth but held himself still waiting for doom to reign.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything," Vince said looking at all of them.
"No, you're not, Mr. McMahon," Tara said in a very professional voice. She rose and held out her hand to the wrestling kingpin. "It's an honor to meet you and your daughter. I'm Tara, Shannon's girlfriend."
Jeff saw red for a few seconds at that introduction but said nothing.
"Hi, Tara," Stephanie said shaking the small woman's hand after her father released his handshake. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"I was just going to tell my two RAW performers here that I've set up the match they asked me for earlier."
"Wha' match is that, if ya don' mind my askin'?" Shannon interjected earning an icy glare from both Jeff and Andrew.
"They asked for an inter-promotional match at a house show next week with some fighters that were causing trouble a while back."
"You don't say?" Tara said narrowing her eyes at Jeff. "What club are we talking about?"
"A small outfit that came from Mexico originally, I think," Vince said. "Warrior Series? Yes, I believe that's the name. I just got off the phone with the owner."
"Well, that should be very entertaining," Tara said in a neutral tone.
--------------------------------------
"Are you out of your minds!?" Tara exploded when she marched them up to her and Shannon's room. "I should kill you myself!"
"Ya wouldn' hurt us baby," Jeff said calmly.
"Oh, yeah?" she snorted. "I feel like beating the holy hell out of you, then coming back for the UNHOLY hell!"
Shannon fell on the bed laughing and Jeff looked like he wished he were alone with his friend so he could smack him upside the head.
"We're gonna git 'em fo' ya," Jeff whined.
"I could get them MYSELF, Jeff," she gritted between her teeth. "I CHOSE to let them go because I choose not to become like them. How many times do we have to have this conversation?"
"They're dangerous people," Andrew mumbled.
"I think I, of all people, know that," she replied. "Justin was going to put them out of business safely and quietly. Now that plan has to change."
Shannon suddenly stopped laughing and pulled himself off the bed, stalking toward her. "Wha's THAT supposed ta mean?"
"It means," she said giving him her most determined look, "that Rio's apparently riding again."
"NO!" all three men shouted at once. But she looked unmoved.
"There's no other way," she said knowing he would be difficult to convince. "You're planning on fighting Sasquatch, who is telling everyone I'm sleeping with him." She shuddered, "Ewww. And Justin can't keep a lock on Henry's activities in a WWE arena."
"I don' wantcha ta do this!" Shannon growled.
"Surprisingly, neither do I," she answered. "But don't worry. I'll have PLENTY of back up."
"Damn right," he replied. "One thin' tho'."
"What?"
"If I letcha do this, ya gotta promise me somethin'."
"What do you want me to promise?"
"I don' know yet," he said mysteriously. "I jus' wanna be sure I'll git it when I do kno'."
"Tha's no' right," Jeff argued for her.
"Keep outta this, big bro," Shannon said keeping his eyes on Tara who was decidedly wary of him all of a sudden. Finally she nodded.
"Fine. Whatever you want. But I'm going."
"Beautiful," he smiled.
************************************
PLEASE NOTE: I've finally started putting up chapters to Rio's beginnings. It's called "One Journey Ends" and is in the Original Fiction section under General Fiction. As with this story, I've rated it R for violence and disturbing content. You can also access it by clicking on my author name and choosing it from the list of stories I've written so far. (All two of them!)
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