"So be it," Vince growled throwing the remote to the floor, "If
that's how they want it then that is how it's going to be."
Stephanie looked from her father to the TV and back again. This entire situation was reminding her way too much of the way things had gone between her father and herself just a few short years ago. "Daddy, wait," Stephanie pleaded, "Just calm down. Shawn isn't such a bad guy! Why don't you give him a chance?"
Vince turned incredulous eyes towards Stephanie, "Not so bad? Give him a chance?" The owner of the WWE threw his hands in the air, "This is Shawn Michaels! He's a womanizing playboy! He had the audacity to punch me if you'll remember. He is not good enough for Cassandra!"
Stephanie stood up and looked her father dead in the eye, "Daddy, if you keep on trying to force them apart you'll only bring them closer together. You'll be the one that Cassandra draws away from. Maybe Shawn was a playboy but that was four years ago. He's grown up since then. Let them be, Daddy."
"I can't" Vince told her angrily, "She's ruining her life!"
Steph sighed, "Maybe. And maybe not. Let her take that chance. If you don't let her make her own choices you'll regret it." Stephanie gazed at her father sadly, "If you don't it'll be the estrangement between me and you all over again. And this time, Daddy, it might not turn out as well." Stephanie kissed her father softly on the cheek before grabbing her purse and leaving her father to his thoughts.
Vince shook his head, "You're wrong, Stephanie, "he said to himself, "I know what's best for her." Vince determinedly picked up the phone and dialed.
Cassandra sat on the couch in Shawn's dressing room waiting for him to finish changing. She knew her father would be furious but she hoped that he'd see reason. Cassandra was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her cell phone ringing. Reaching down she pulled it out of her purse. Cassie took a deep breath as she stared at the number. It was her father's hotel room. Callie hit the answer button and raised the phone to her ear. "Hello, Daddy," she spoke into the phone softly.
"Just what in hell do you think you're doing, Cassandra!" Vince demanded his voice harsh.
"I'm following my heart," Cassandra answered, "Please, just stop this now. Let this be between Shawn and me."
"You listen to me, young lady," Vince growled, "You come home right now or don't ever come home. You embarrassed me on national TV. You don't want to play games with me, little girl."
Cassandra bit her lip as tears stung her eyes, "Daddy," she tried, "Please try to understand. There's just something about him. We have this . . . connection. I don't understand it but I need to find out where it goes. Trust me, please," she pleaded as a tear fell from her eye and made its way down her cheek.
"Come home now, Cassandra," Vince ordered, "Don't make me do this. Shawn Michaels will pay for turning you against me. He's brainwashed you."
"No, he hasn't!" Cassandra cried, "Daddy, stop it! Don't do this!"
"For the last time," Vince warned her, "Come home."
Cassandra took a deep breath, "No."
There was a long paused on the other end, "So be it, you no longer have a home," Vince replied in a low voice before hanging up.
Slowly Cassandra lowered the phone to her lap. She sat completely still for a long moment in stunned silence. Slowly, quietly, the tears began to fall and she began to sob burying her face in her hands.
Shawn came out of the bathroom pulling his shirt over his broad shoulders. He opened his mouth to say something to the beautiful woman on his couch but stopped when he realized that her shoulders were heaving with painful sobs. "Sweetheart," Shawn asked moving quickly to her side and kneeling in front of her, "What's wrong?"
Cassandra only shook her head and continued to cry. Shawn moved to sit next to her on the couch and pulled her into his strong arms combing his fingers soothingly through her mane of chestnut hair. "Oh, honey, what's wrong?" he asked again rocking her in his arms.
Cassandra took a deep breath and raised her head from his shoulders, "My father called," she told him tearfully, "H-he told me to c-come home and stay away from y-you or not to come home a-at all."
Shawn froze. He had only known this woman for a little over a day but the thought of loosing her shook him to his core, "What did you say?" Shawn asked hearing the tension in his own voice.
Cassandra wiped her tears away only to have them replaced by more, "I- I told him no," she whispered softly her trembling hand reaching out to caress Shawn's cheek.
Shawn reached up catching her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her fingers, her palm and finally her wrist. This is my fault, Shawn thought sadly. "Sweetheart," he began slowly, "I know how much you love your father. If you want to change your mind I'll understand."
Cassandra shook her head, "No," she told him more firmly this time, "I'm not changing my mind. I-I want to give us a chance." Cassandra looked into his eyes sadly, "Besides we both know that you'll be the one taking most of the punishment for this," Cassandra paused gathering her courage. He had unselfishly offered her an out, she could at least do the same for him, "If anyone should want out it's you."
"No," he told her firmly, "This isn't the first time Vince has wanted my head," Shawn told her, "I'll be okay." Seeing her obvious concern for him, Shawn leaned forward to capture her lips with his and as she returned his kiss a chill ran up his spine. Girl, he thought wryly, I don't know what you do to me but I need more. Vince is going to have my head for this and I gotta be crazy but I don't care.
Shawn held her close as he continued to kiss her velvet lips his tongue seeking and gaining entrance to her sweet mouth and stroking against hers. After a long moment Shawn pulled away with a groan leaving them both breathless. "Princess," he told her huskily, "I don't know what you're doing to me . . . but what ever it is I'm hooked."
Cassandra smiled affectionately, "Me too."
Shawn smiled back kissing her forehead before reluctantly pulling back; "It's getting late, darlin'" he told her looking at the clock on the wall, "We'd better get going."
"Go where?" Cassandra asked. "I don't have anywhere to go," she reminded him a bit of her sadness seeping back into her eyes.
"Stop that," Shawn reproved her gently, "First thing's first. You can stay with me. Tomorrow morning, we'll call Stephanie and let her know where you're at."
Cassandra nodded, "You're right she'll be worried sick." Cassie ran a hand through her hair, "I'll call Shane too," she decided. Maybe he'll know what to do, she thought.
Shawn's eyebrow arched at the mention of the infamous Shane-o-mac. "Are you and your brother close?" he asked curiously.
Cassandra nodded, "Shane is everything I could want in a big brother." Cassandra paused and looked down, "I haven't seen him in so long though," she told Shawn sadly reaching up idly to play with Shawn's hair, "I haven't seen him since the whole ECW/WCW thing." Cassandra sighed, "I've talked to him but Daddy won't let him come home. He's forgiven Stephanie but he won't forgive Shane."
Shawn stood pulling Cassandra up with him, "Well, maybe Shane can fly out to see you at our next venue."
Cassie smiled at the thought, "I'd love to see my brother."
Shawn placed an arm around Cassandra's waist and guided her out of his dressing room and to her car. "I car pooled with some of the boys so I'll just ride with you," he said climbing into the passenger side.
They rode in relative silence, Shawn occasionally giving Cassandra directions, each for the most part lost in their thoughts. When they arrived at the hotel Shawn led Cassie up to his room. The two stood awkwardly as Cassandra took in her surroundings. "Uh, you can have the bed. I'll crash on the couch," Shawn told her throwing his gym bag to the side.
Cassandra nodded mutely slowly moving further into the room. Shawn frowned at her silence and asked, "Are you hungry?" Shawn's frowned deepened when Cassandra didn't answer. "Sweetheart?" Shawn called striding over to her, "Hey . . ." Shawn trailed off when he saw the paleness of her face. "Are you okay, Princess?" Shawn asked looking her over critically.
"I don't feel so good," she whispered beginning to sway. Shawn caught her up in his strong arms carrying her over to the bed. He laid his burden down gently and stroked her hair.
"When's the last time you ate?" Shawn demanded lifting her chin with a finger so he could examine her eyes.
"Yesterday," Cassie told him softly, "I didn't have time to eat anything today."
"You just rest and I'll call room service," Shawn ordered reaching for the phone by the bed. As he dialed he scolded her mildly, "You have a concussion. You need to take better care of yourself." Apparently room service picked up because the Heartbreak Kid stopped lecturing her and ordered several things to be brought up.
Cassandra rolled over onto her side feeling utterly drained. After Shawn hung up the phone he leaned over her and reached out to caress her cheek tenderly. "You should have said something," he chided her softly.
Cassandra rolled back over to look at him, "I didn't really feel that bad. I mean of course I have a headache and I get a little dizzy now and then but with everything that happened today I guess I just didn't have time to notice until now."
"You've had a busy day," Shawn agreed, "But I should have realized that you were pushing it. I'm sorry."
Cassandra smiled, "Stop that," she ordered gently, "It's not your fault. I'm a big girl."
Shawn opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Shawn leaned over to kiss Cassie's forehead, "Be right back." Shawn answered the door and Cassandra watched, surprised, as the cart was wheeled in. Shawn must have ordered half the menu. After Shawn had tipped the man and he had departed Shawn turned to Cassandra, "You need to eat and then get some rest. You should take it easy for a few days."
Slowly Cassandra sat up, "I can't eat that much, Shawn," she told him with a shake of her head.
Shawn laughed, "Hey it's not all for you darlin'." Shawn shook a finger at her, "You're not the only one who needs to eat."
Cassandra laughed and carefully stood up and walked over to the table as Shawn prepared a plate for her. Cassandra watched as Shawn filled her plate and after placing it in front of her poured her a glass of water. Cassie accepted it with an amused grin and picking up her fork dug into the plate of lasagna. They ate in a comfortable silence and when she was done eating; Cassandra found that she felt much better.
Cassandra stood and stretched, "Thanks, Shawn, I needed that."
"No problem, Princess," Shawn answered standing and walking over to his suitcase. He pulled out an old DX t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. "They'll be a little big for you but they'll do until we can go shopping." He held them out and Cassandra took them and stepped into the bathroom to change.
When Cassandra came out she found Shawn sitting on the couch. Padding over to the couch Cassandra sat down and snuggled up next to him. "Anything good on?" she asked sighing as he wrapped an arm around her. "Uh . . . take a look for yourself," Shawn said gesturing to the list of movies on the screen.
"Hmmm," Cassandra thought a moment, "Let's watch 'The Matrix'" she said, "I love that movie."
Shawn shrugged and flipped to the correct channel before setting the remote aside. Cassandra rested her head on his shoulder and Shawn laid his cheek against the top of her head. About half way through the movie Shawn looked down and smiled affectionately. Cassie was sound asleep lulled by the warmth of his body. Slowly careful not to wake her, Shawn slipped out from underneath her then lifted her into his arms. Shawn carried her to his bed tenderly tucking her beneath the covers. Shawn leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead, "Sweet dreams, Princess," he whispered before moving back to the couch and falling asleep himself.
Stephanie looked from her father to the TV and back again. This entire situation was reminding her way too much of the way things had gone between her father and herself just a few short years ago. "Daddy, wait," Stephanie pleaded, "Just calm down. Shawn isn't such a bad guy! Why don't you give him a chance?"
Vince turned incredulous eyes towards Stephanie, "Not so bad? Give him a chance?" The owner of the WWE threw his hands in the air, "This is Shawn Michaels! He's a womanizing playboy! He had the audacity to punch me if you'll remember. He is not good enough for Cassandra!"
Stephanie stood up and looked her father dead in the eye, "Daddy, if you keep on trying to force them apart you'll only bring them closer together. You'll be the one that Cassandra draws away from. Maybe Shawn was a playboy but that was four years ago. He's grown up since then. Let them be, Daddy."
"I can't" Vince told her angrily, "She's ruining her life!"
Steph sighed, "Maybe. And maybe not. Let her take that chance. If you don't let her make her own choices you'll regret it." Stephanie gazed at her father sadly, "If you don't it'll be the estrangement between me and you all over again. And this time, Daddy, it might not turn out as well." Stephanie kissed her father softly on the cheek before grabbing her purse and leaving her father to his thoughts.
Vince shook his head, "You're wrong, Stephanie, "he said to himself, "I know what's best for her." Vince determinedly picked up the phone and dialed.
Cassandra sat on the couch in Shawn's dressing room waiting for him to finish changing. She knew her father would be furious but she hoped that he'd see reason. Cassandra was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her cell phone ringing. Reaching down she pulled it out of her purse. Cassie took a deep breath as she stared at the number. It was her father's hotel room. Callie hit the answer button and raised the phone to her ear. "Hello, Daddy," she spoke into the phone softly.
"Just what in hell do you think you're doing, Cassandra!" Vince demanded his voice harsh.
"I'm following my heart," Cassandra answered, "Please, just stop this now. Let this be between Shawn and me."
"You listen to me, young lady," Vince growled, "You come home right now or don't ever come home. You embarrassed me on national TV. You don't want to play games with me, little girl."
Cassandra bit her lip as tears stung her eyes, "Daddy," she tried, "Please try to understand. There's just something about him. We have this . . . connection. I don't understand it but I need to find out where it goes. Trust me, please," she pleaded as a tear fell from her eye and made its way down her cheek.
"Come home now, Cassandra," Vince ordered, "Don't make me do this. Shawn Michaels will pay for turning you against me. He's brainwashed you."
"No, he hasn't!" Cassandra cried, "Daddy, stop it! Don't do this!"
"For the last time," Vince warned her, "Come home."
Cassandra took a deep breath, "No."
There was a long paused on the other end, "So be it, you no longer have a home," Vince replied in a low voice before hanging up.
Slowly Cassandra lowered the phone to her lap. She sat completely still for a long moment in stunned silence. Slowly, quietly, the tears began to fall and she began to sob burying her face in her hands.
Shawn came out of the bathroom pulling his shirt over his broad shoulders. He opened his mouth to say something to the beautiful woman on his couch but stopped when he realized that her shoulders were heaving with painful sobs. "Sweetheart," Shawn asked moving quickly to her side and kneeling in front of her, "What's wrong?"
Cassandra only shook her head and continued to cry. Shawn moved to sit next to her on the couch and pulled her into his strong arms combing his fingers soothingly through her mane of chestnut hair. "Oh, honey, what's wrong?" he asked again rocking her in his arms.
Cassandra took a deep breath and raised her head from his shoulders, "My father called," she told him tearfully, "H-he told me to c-come home and stay away from y-you or not to come home a-at all."
Shawn froze. He had only known this woman for a little over a day but the thought of loosing her shook him to his core, "What did you say?" Shawn asked hearing the tension in his own voice.
Cassandra wiped her tears away only to have them replaced by more, "I- I told him no," she whispered softly her trembling hand reaching out to caress Shawn's cheek.
Shawn reached up catching her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her fingers, her palm and finally her wrist. This is my fault, Shawn thought sadly. "Sweetheart," he began slowly, "I know how much you love your father. If you want to change your mind I'll understand."
Cassandra shook her head, "No," she told him more firmly this time, "I'm not changing my mind. I-I want to give us a chance." Cassandra looked into his eyes sadly, "Besides we both know that you'll be the one taking most of the punishment for this," Cassandra paused gathering her courage. He had unselfishly offered her an out, she could at least do the same for him, "If anyone should want out it's you."
"No," he told her firmly, "This isn't the first time Vince has wanted my head," Shawn told her, "I'll be okay." Seeing her obvious concern for him, Shawn leaned forward to capture her lips with his and as she returned his kiss a chill ran up his spine. Girl, he thought wryly, I don't know what you do to me but I need more. Vince is going to have my head for this and I gotta be crazy but I don't care.
Shawn held her close as he continued to kiss her velvet lips his tongue seeking and gaining entrance to her sweet mouth and stroking against hers. After a long moment Shawn pulled away with a groan leaving them both breathless. "Princess," he told her huskily, "I don't know what you're doing to me . . . but what ever it is I'm hooked."
Cassandra smiled affectionately, "Me too."
Shawn smiled back kissing her forehead before reluctantly pulling back; "It's getting late, darlin'" he told her looking at the clock on the wall, "We'd better get going."
"Go where?" Cassandra asked. "I don't have anywhere to go," she reminded him a bit of her sadness seeping back into her eyes.
"Stop that," Shawn reproved her gently, "First thing's first. You can stay with me. Tomorrow morning, we'll call Stephanie and let her know where you're at."
Cassandra nodded, "You're right she'll be worried sick." Cassie ran a hand through her hair, "I'll call Shane too," she decided. Maybe he'll know what to do, she thought.
Shawn's eyebrow arched at the mention of the infamous Shane-o-mac. "Are you and your brother close?" he asked curiously.
Cassandra nodded, "Shane is everything I could want in a big brother." Cassandra paused and looked down, "I haven't seen him in so long though," she told Shawn sadly reaching up idly to play with Shawn's hair, "I haven't seen him since the whole ECW/WCW thing." Cassandra sighed, "I've talked to him but Daddy won't let him come home. He's forgiven Stephanie but he won't forgive Shane."
Shawn stood pulling Cassandra up with him, "Well, maybe Shane can fly out to see you at our next venue."
Cassie smiled at the thought, "I'd love to see my brother."
Shawn placed an arm around Cassandra's waist and guided her out of his dressing room and to her car. "I car pooled with some of the boys so I'll just ride with you," he said climbing into the passenger side.
They rode in relative silence, Shawn occasionally giving Cassandra directions, each for the most part lost in their thoughts. When they arrived at the hotel Shawn led Cassie up to his room. The two stood awkwardly as Cassandra took in her surroundings. "Uh, you can have the bed. I'll crash on the couch," Shawn told her throwing his gym bag to the side.
Cassandra nodded mutely slowly moving further into the room. Shawn frowned at her silence and asked, "Are you hungry?" Shawn's frowned deepened when Cassandra didn't answer. "Sweetheart?" Shawn called striding over to her, "Hey . . ." Shawn trailed off when he saw the paleness of her face. "Are you okay, Princess?" Shawn asked looking her over critically.
"I don't feel so good," she whispered beginning to sway. Shawn caught her up in his strong arms carrying her over to the bed. He laid his burden down gently and stroked her hair.
"When's the last time you ate?" Shawn demanded lifting her chin with a finger so he could examine her eyes.
"Yesterday," Cassie told him softly, "I didn't have time to eat anything today."
"You just rest and I'll call room service," Shawn ordered reaching for the phone by the bed. As he dialed he scolded her mildly, "You have a concussion. You need to take better care of yourself." Apparently room service picked up because the Heartbreak Kid stopped lecturing her and ordered several things to be brought up.
Cassandra rolled over onto her side feeling utterly drained. After Shawn hung up the phone he leaned over her and reached out to caress her cheek tenderly. "You should have said something," he chided her softly.
Cassandra rolled back over to look at him, "I didn't really feel that bad. I mean of course I have a headache and I get a little dizzy now and then but with everything that happened today I guess I just didn't have time to notice until now."
"You've had a busy day," Shawn agreed, "But I should have realized that you were pushing it. I'm sorry."
Cassandra smiled, "Stop that," she ordered gently, "It's not your fault. I'm a big girl."
Shawn opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Shawn leaned over to kiss Cassie's forehead, "Be right back." Shawn answered the door and Cassandra watched, surprised, as the cart was wheeled in. Shawn must have ordered half the menu. After Shawn had tipped the man and he had departed Shawn turned to Cassandra, "You need to eat and then get some rest. You should take it easy for a few days."
Slowly Cassandra sat up, "I can't eat that much, Shawn," she told him with a shake of her head.
Shawn laughed, "Hey it's not all for you darlin'." Shawn shook a finger at her, "You're not the only one who needs to eat."
Cassandra laughed and carefully stood up and walked over to the table as Shawn prepared a plate for her. Cassandra watched as Shawn filled her plate and after placing it in front of her poured her a glass of water. Cassie accepted it with an amused grin and picking up her fork dug into the plate of lasagna. They ate in a comfortable silence and when she was done eating; Cassandra found that she felt much better.
Cassandra stood and stretched, "Thanks, Shawn, I needed that."
"No problem, Princess," Shawn answered standing and walking over to his suitcase. He pulled out an old DX t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. "They'll be a little big for you but they'll do until we can go shopping." He held them out and Cassandra took them and stepped into the bathroom to change.
When Cassandra came out she found Shawn sitting on the couch. Padding over to the couch Cassandra sat down and snuggled up next to him. "Anything good on?" she asked sighing as he wrapped an arm around her. "Uh . . . take a look for yourself," Shawn said gesturing to the list of movies on the screen.
"Hmmm," Cassandra thought a moment, "Let's watch 'The Matrix'" she said, "I love that movie."
Shawn shrugged and flipped to the correct channel before setting the remote aside. Cassandra rested her head on his shoulder and Shawn laid his cheek against the top of her head. About half way through the movie Shawn looked down and smiled affectionately. Cassie was sound asleep lulled by the warmth of his body. Slowly careful not to wake her, Shawn slipped out from underneath her then lifted her into his arms. Shawn carried her to his bed tenderly tucking her beneath the covers. Shawn leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her forehead, "Sweet dreams, Princess," he whispered before moving back to the couch and falling asleep himself.