Chapter 6
-6 Months Later- -
Mark had grown quite fond of Riley...They'd seen a few movies together and went to a few clubs with the rest of the other wrestlers who liked to blow off steam after Smackdown was taped.
There were a few kisses shared between them, but for some reason, they couldn't get anything started between them...Mark thought he wasn't good enough for her...and Riley just figured she read the signs wrong.
For the last few months now, Riley had been harassed by one of the other wrestlers...and she was just about at the end of her rope. She'd asked him repeatedly to leave her alone, and still he would make rude and degrading comments to her...and then to make matters worse, every once in a while...he'd fake an injury and corner her in her office and touch her in sexually unwanted ways.
Today was no exception...They were in New York yet again. Riley was sitting on the equipment trunk down by the ring, doing some research on her laptop, there was still a few hours left before Smackdown would even begin. A snaky voice dripping with venom said, "Well...If it isn't the beautiful and intelligent Dr. Martini."
Riley cringed and said, "Rob, I thought I asked you to leave me alone?" Rob walked over and said, "I'm Rob Van Dam...what woman wouldn't want me?" Riley smiled weakly and said, "Any woman in her right mind." Rob grabbed Riley's laptop and threw it across the arena and watched as it shattered. Rob then grabbed Riley's knees and yanked her closer to him and was touching her cheek and face trying to get her to kiss him.
Riley said, "I'm not kissing you...ever...Because If I do I'll puke in your mouth." Rob back handed her across the cheek and she thought her eye was gonna explode. Out of no where someone came running up and tackled Rob to the ground...Riley pulled her knees into her chest as she let out a squeal of surprise when Rob was crashed into and away from her.
John and Cynthia came running over and John said, "I've never seen him get so pissed off in that short of amount of time." Cynthia walked over and was looking at Riley's cheek...Riley said, "Who?" John said, "It was Mark...I can't believe he picked him up and just carried him into the back...As soon as he saw Rob hit you, his blood boiled and he took off running at Rob full steam ahead."
Riley said, "I think we should go check on them." John took Riley's arm and helped her off the truck...she was a little dizzy from the slap she'd received, her cheek was already swelling and was turning a nice shade of blue and purple.
They walked into the back and the fight had already been broken up by none other then Mr. McMahon...he said, "I will not tolerate fighting in this organization...you people are not caged animals with no God Damn manners...you may not like each other, and you may not respect one another, but you will get along as long as you're working in MY company. What the hell was the fight all about anyways?"
John stepped up before either of the two pissed off fighters would and carefully brought Riley forward with him...He said, "Vince, Respectively...Rob is in the wrong...hi slapped Dr. Martini...Look at her cheek...She's extremely dizzy right now...she's gonna be in a world of hurt if she's not already...Mark was defending her."
Vince turned an evil eye glare towards Rob and he knew by the look on his face he was guilty. Vince said, "Fine...Rob you wanna hit women...I'm sure Mr. Jindrak could teach you a few things on how to respect women more...After Smackdown is done being taped and promoted...You two are going to get in that God damn ring and box...you're going to fight, not wrestle...and Rob if I see you throw one kick or illegal move in there you're fired...Same goes for you too Mark." Mark just nodded as Rob gave his cool laid back "Whatever man."
Mark walked over and looked down at Riley...she looked up and said, "You don't have to do this ya know...I've had worse before." Mark touched her unhurt cheek and said, "No man should hit a woman...I don't care what the circumstances are...Rob should get his ass beat for touching you like that...If he's been harassing you, I wish you would've told me sooner."
Riley shook her head and apparently too fast, cause she started to protest when everything went black.
Scaring the shit out of Mark, he caught the tiny brunette in his arms before she hit the cement floor of the arena...He carefully scoped her up in his arms as he, John and Cynthia went down to his locker room, where Kurt and Luther grabbed a couple of pillows to elevate her head a little and an ice pack for her cheek.
Mark knelt on the floor and was running his thumb over her unhurt cheek...wishing she'd wake up, cause he was worried about her...he knew what kind of hit she took from Rob...his back hand is worse then a face to face punch.
Kurt patted him on the back cause he saw the worry swimming his protégés green orbs...Kurt said, "Calm down...It's a normal reaction after a hit like that...she's gonna be fine...Luther and I are going to get ready...then I'll come back and watch her while you get ready for your match...I promise man...she'll be fine. I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it..."
Mark just nodded...He was sick to his stomach after he saw the way Rob hit her...And now...he was wishing Smackdown was finished...all he could think about besides Riley waking up, was getting to Rob...
Mark swore to himself and Riley if he didn't at least put Rob on the injured list for a couple of years...then he would end Rob's career as a professional wrestler tonight.
