Title: Beauty and the Beast

Author: Kora

E-mail: KrazyKora@aol.com or WinterViolet24@aol.com

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The following characters belong to WWE and all the people and companies who deal with all that legal stuff. I am simply using the characters for my own twisted enjoyment.

Summary: [FoleyStacy] Mick Foley didn't leave because he was afraid of Orton, he left because he was afraid of something else or rather, someone else…

Author's Notes: This story is going to jump around a lot with flashbacks but I think overall it will be a real enjoyable fic. All I ask is you give it a chance.

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Chapter Two

Mick's eyes were focused straight ahead as he drove. A light sprinkling fell from the sky but he hardly acknowledged it. He pulled up to one lone stop light, his truck the only car on the road. He paused before it, waiting patiently for it to turn green.

Why was it even red when no one was around to stop him from going? He didn't know, but then, didn't that just sum up his whole life? He looked out his driver's side window; as if searching the dark, black night sky for answers then turned his attention to the red light. It seemed to bathe him in its glow and slowly another memory surfaced, the one that recalled how this whole affair got started…

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October 14, 2003

Home sweet, sweet home, was Mick's first thought as he entered his house, dropping off several bags of luggage at the front door. He shuffled about, breathing in the air. It seemed almost stale - no one had been in this house in ages. It felt good to be back, to be home…

Mick kicked off his shoes and went straight to the kitchen. He pulled out a beer as well as a box of macaroni and cheese. He really needed rest but he felt too wired after the last flight. His book tour was almost over with - he was very happy at the success 'Tietam Brown' was making as well as how the tour had been going.

He'd managed to pick out this little bit of time to take a brief rest at his home before finishing up the last leg of the tour. It was all very, very nice. Hard to believe it was his life, considering how things were going so smoothly.

It couldn't get any better, his thoughts chuckled as he pulled out a pot and filled it with water, promptly setting it on the stove to boil. He tore open the box of Mac and Cheese, pulling out the powder cheese packet to place to one side.

He went about his normal unwinding duties - finally taking his luggage back to his room, unpacking, all the while keeping an eye on his dinner - making sure to dump in the noodles when the water started boiling and turning off the burner when it was done. Soon enough he'd drained the noodles, stirred in the powdered cheese and come out with a nice goopy, but delicious orange mess thanks to Kraft.

He also had most of his luggage unpacked but decided to save the rest for later. One bag had been purposefully left at the front door and he dragged it now not to his bedroom but to his living room, resting it next to his armchair and TV. Then he went and got his beer and his dinner and sat in the chair, flicking the TV on.

He unzipped the bag to reveal several tapes inside. Considering he was not always able to catch RAW and Smackdown, he always made it a point of taping each episode - wanting to be updated on what was happening with his friends. He supposed it would be much easier to go the TiVo route, but he had yet to have the time to buy one of those contraptions.

Instead he settled with the old fashioned way, the VCR capturing each moment on tape. They were all appropriately labeled and he drew out first his Smackdown collection. He quickly zipped his way through a few - fast forwarding when necessary. It was nice to see how everyone wrestled, as well as get a look at the newcomers but Smackdown held very little interest for him these days.

It wasn't that he didn't have friends there - he did. But RAW…well, he saved the best for last. And the best? His hands nearly shook as he popped the tape in, waiting with bated breath for her to come on screen.

In someways he felt chagrined with himself, with this obsession he'd been harboring. But then, how could he not be in complete awe of her? And when she finally came on screen his whole tense body relaxed…ah, Stacy.

She gave a dazzling smile as she escorted Test to the ring. Mick was overjoyed to see how happy Andrew made her - sure, it pained him to not be the one giving her smiles, to not be the arm she held on to but all he really cared about was her happiness and if Andrew gave it to her, all the better.

And then it all changed. In a flash the tapes became darker - Andrew became darker. Mick sat up, outraged at Stacy's treatment. He watched as slowly the glow around her dimmed. Her transformation from gleeful girl to demure, abused mistress outraged him. Then Steiner entered the picture, saving her and Mick was relieved.

But it grew worse, Steiner changed too and Stacy's punishment, her pain became worse, more prevalent. Mick could almost feel it through the screen. He cursed, fast-forwarding, unable to watch her misery as it tore away at his very soul. Where the hell was Austin?!

Why wasn't he helping her?! Getting her away from those bastards! She was being mistreated, taken advantage of, used…tossed about like - like…

Mick couldn't even bear to think of what Test and Steiner did to her when the camera was off. She was a slave to them, a plaything. Her torture…Mick cursed again, viciously - screw hell - where the fuck was Austin!

Then Austin came.

And he stunned her.

Mick exploded.

With a roar he catapulted to his feet and grabbed his cordless phone, jabbing in Austin's cell number, the moment he heard the click of the receiving end being picked up he let loose, "What the FUCK, Austin! What the fuck!"

"Mick?" a sleepy voice asked on the other end, followed by a long yawn, "'Zat you?"

"You stunned her! You son of a bitch! How dare you even fucking touch her much less stun her! I'll kill you, I swear to god…"

"Mick, whoa, buddy…what in th' hell ya talkin' about? Ya just wake me up in the middle of the night and start-"

"I saw what you did to Stacy, Austin…Jesus, what you did only…fuck, what, yesterday?! You stunned her! I can't believe you! What in the hell is the matter with you! How could you even think - how could you dare…fucking lay a finger on her…"

"Whoa, whoa, shaddup, willya!" Austin roared on the other end, voice frustrated and angry. He grunted a few times as he sat up in bed and flicked on the near by bedside lamp. He ran a hand over his face and tried to collect his thoughts, "You're talking about…what? Stacy?"

"What the hell do you think!" Mick seethed.

Austin yawned again and stretched, then ran a hand over his face a second time, "Well I couldn't quite understand ya, Mick. Ya call me up without so much as a 'Hello, how are ya' before ya start chewing into my ass about something. I can bearly understand ya, yer so goddamn hysterical! You're babbling an' rant an' ravin'…"

Mick took in a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions and get a hold of himself. He breathed in and out slowly for a few moments before continuing, voice tight, "Steve…I saw what you did to Stacy. I can't believe you! How could you even…I mean, she's a woman for Christ's sake! And her size and stature…you could have really hurt her. Caused her serious damage and she's all ready going through so much and - Jesus, how can you even live with yourself leaving her in Test and Steiner's twisted grip! Do you even see what they're doing to her?! They're…they're killing her."

Just saying the words pained him. They were doing more than killing her. They were destroying her, tearing her apart - deconstructing. He watched each tape. Watched as slowly but surely she deteriorated right before his eyes. It broke his heart, enflamed his blood…Jesus, it drove him crazy.

Austin cleared his throat, "Aw hell, Mick. She got herself inta all that trouble if ya paid attention. I mean she didn't have to let Test and Steiner drag her around like a dog on a leash. Sure, she's in an abusive relationship…two of 'em in fact but she should have the common sense and backbone ta drag her own pretty little ass outta that mess. No one's forcing her to-"

"Bullshit! Bullshit!" Mick snapped, "She's tied to the two of them in contract and you know it! She can't free herself, she needs you, she needs help and what do you do?! You stun her just cause she doesn't want to drink a beer with you!"

Austin's eyes narrowed on the other end, "She was being disrespectful ta me."

"Fuck that! And fuck you for thinking like that! You know better! I mean, Jesus, after the whole Debra mess-"

"Don't. Go. There." Austin warned, voice as deadly as sharp steel, "Mick, yer my friend and there ain't too many that hold that title - are allowed to get away with some shit on me but ya don't want ta touch that. Trust me."

Mick sighed, knowing he'd stepped over a line, "I'm sorry."

There was a deep chuckle on the other end, "Shit, man, I know. Don'tcha worry none. You have a tendency ta stick yer foot in yer mouth when yer upset enough. I know that better'n anybody. I know ya didn't mean it. Don't sound so much like a pussy over the other end. No need ta apologize ta me."

"No, that was, that was…a low blow. But considering what you did, you can't blame me…"

The Rattlesnake chuckled again, drawling, "So ya still have the hots for little, Miss Hot Pants?"

Mick's teeth clenched together as he hissed, "Steve, you're the only one who I ever talked to about it and if you even-"

"Ah shut th' hell up, ya sonuvabitch! Ya know I'd never tell nobody. Who th' fuck I'd tell anyway?! 'Sides, I always thought it was kinda cute on yer part…"

"Austin…"

"All right, all right. Tell ya what, I'll talk ta 'er next week on RAW. Bring her and Test out ta th' ring and ask her for some respect and an apology. She gives it to me, and I'll watch out fer her. Even try and free her from Test and Scott. How's that sound?"

Mick shook his head, "Not good enough."

On the other end, Austin rolled his eyes, "Sweet Jesus, ya still got it this bad, huh? Why don't ya just tell her all ready…"

"Austin." The hiss was even stronger this time.

"Look, I'll do what I can but I don't like getting myself involved in shit unless I wanna, ya got me? Hell, man, why don't ya just come back and clean up th' mess yourself."

Mick sighed, "I can't. You know I…"

"Yeah, yeah - still scared ta face her, I know. Je-sus, boy! Ya do got it bad. Still, I gave ya my word I'd do what I can and I keep my word. Remember though, I'm not doin' this 'cause I like ya or nothin'…"

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Mick blinked as the red light before his eyes clicked over to green. The memory vanishing as quick as it came. A thin veil of rain droplets coated his windshield and with a sigh he flicked his wipers on.

He pulled through the light and continued his trek back to his hotel.

Of course Austin's last words had been a lie. He was actually one of Mick's closest friends and always had been. But the Rattlesnake was never one to confess the feelings close to his heart easily. It was half the reason he understood Mick's position. Sure, he'd ride him about it, but he understood and respected it enough to help him out.

And he had. Steve had kept his part of the bargain for the most part but, being Steve, had gotten in a heated confrontation with Bischoff that resulted in a bet he lost. Survivor Series cost him his position as Co-GM and he had yet to free Stacy.

When the news came to Mick it planted a heavy weight on his shoulders. His book tour was finally complete, if he wanted to, he could do what Austin suggested. He could go to RAW, do something about it, free Stacy…

And he was so eager to do so, to be her savior - her hero. But at the same token he was so unwilling. He didn't want to be back in the squared circle - even more, he didn't know how it would be when he saw her again. Faced her. They hadn't spoken much even when they had both been working together but now…if he went there just expressly to save her.

But what choice did he have? There was more than Stacy at stake now, there was also Austin. The man was his friend and he had tried to do so much for him, he didn't deserve to lose his Co-GM position just because he had taken a bad bet.

And hell, Mick had seen Survivor Series: Shawn Michaels, Austin's old enemy, had fought his heart out for a man he used to despise. Fought so hard…shit…he had deserved to win, Austin had deserved to keep his position, and Stacy…Stacy deserved freedom.

With that in mind, he had gone through the upper channels, ready to toss his hat back into the fray. But as Mick drove now, he wondered if, in the end, it had all been worth it at all. Considering how things had ended up. And as he thought over this, he was unaware that another car had appeared on the road - a car that followed inconspicuously behind him.