Author's Note: YES! It's up on time, oh who's good? Who's good?Okay, so this chapteris like mostly a song-fic. I haven't written one of these before; I've only read them… so tell me what you think! I'm open to advice and suggestions, so thanks for reading! Lol, okay, I'll shut up… Thanks so very much to those who reviewed! I love you!

Disclaimer: Okay, I used Ashlee Simpson's "Shadow" lyrics in here (the writing in bold), so those lyrics belong to her, her company, whatever… just not to me!

Chapter 5

As their lips parted, Stacy's eyes slowly fluttered open. Her body was just beginning to take in what had just happened as shock and surprise swept over her. Stacy's beautiful chocolate colored eyes traveled up to the icy blue ones looking down at her, bursting with love and passion. Yet, there seemed to be traces of apology, regret, and confusion.

With his hand slowly caressing her shoulder, he directed his sight to the floor as he managed to stutter, "I'm sorry, I -- I didn't mean –"

"Hey," Stacy slid her hand under his chin and gently lifted his head, so he'd look at her again, "Randy, it's okay, really. To be honest, I enjoyed it." A slight blush formed on her cheeks as she flashed her beautiful smile, in a somewhat shy manner. She stared at him for a moment. Stacy found it unbelievable – Randy Orton. There was just something about him in the way he looked at her that made her feel like she never had before, something that made him different than… Scott.

"Let's go sit down, it's kind of crowded here," Stacy said, peering around for an empty table. Just at that moment, her new favorite song blasted through the speakers. It was somewhat odd that they'd play it in a club, but maybe the song had been requested. She froze in her spot, letting the music flow through her as she listened intently to the words. Then Stacy felt a hand reach for her own and pull her deeper into the crowd of people pairing off.

"Before we get a table, would you dance with me?" A pleading look filled Randy's eyes as he prayed she'd answer with a 'yes'. Almost as if his prayer was answered, Stacy's face lit up instantly as she rested her arms on his shoulders. Her body met his as Randy's hands fit perfectly around her waist, as if they were built to be placed there. So many thoughts engulfed their minds as they gazed lovingly at one another.

I was stuck inside a broken life

I couldn't wish away

'Isn't this only supposed to happen in fairy tales?' wondered Stacy. She was pondering how Scott had treated her all this time, the way she simply put up with it now seemed to annoy her. Why didn't she just leave?

She was beautiful

She had everything and more

Randy wrapped his arms tighter around Stacy's slim figure. She was a gorgeous woman; he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her be so sweet with him, since she didn't know who he was until now. Sure, he'd heard the stories around the RAW locker rooms about Scott and Stacy, yet he hadn't believed them until he saw the faraway look in her eyes, the same stunning eyes that were full of pain and fear.

And my escape was hiding out and running for the door

Somebody listen please

It used to be so hard being me

Stacy hadn't felt so safe and protected in an awfully long time. It was obvious she needed to get away from Scott, and she knew it, but he'd come after her. With Lita's help, Stacy came to the realization that she couldn't run from him. She smiled at the thought of her girlfriend, because she'd been the only one there for Stacy through her agony and suffering, willing to listen.

Living in the shadow

Of someone else's dream

'Wow,' was the one thing going through Randy's head, 'how in the world did she manage to put up with him that long?' He found it amazing how all she'd had to go through made him respect and love her so much more.

Trying to find a hand to hold but every touch felt cold to me

Living in a nightmare

A never-ending sleep

It had been a hard, hopeless search for someone to help her. Stacy had been on her own ever since she began dating Scott. But here was someone who cared for her that might be able to help. Maybe Randy was her knight in shining armor.

All the days collided

One less perfect than the next

I was stuck inside someone else's life and always second best

Stacy could remember it like it was yesterday. When they first started dating, everything had been new and exciting for her, until she found out about Scott's drinking. The whole thing had basically gone downhill from there. He abused her, hit her, and cut her; yet she stayed. Stacy hoped to revive the love they'd had at first, but nothing worked. She wasn't important to him anymore, she'd become just a trophy, a piece of his property. Stacy tried hard to fight back the sobs that were building up and the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

So if you're listening

There's so much more to me you haven't seen

Randy felt Stacy's body shake with soft sobs, embracing her in his strong arms. There was a whole story behind this he didn't know, but what he was very well aware of was the fact that he was going to beat the living hell out of Scott. Randy wanted to be there for her now even more than the first time he'd laid eyes on her.

Living in the shadow

Of someone else's dream

Trying to find a hand to hold but every touch felt cold to me

Living in a nightmare

A never-ending sleep

Stacy buried her face in Randy's chest, understanding how important it was to get away from all this, to get away from Scott. He had single-handedly ruined her life and bruised her heart, but maybe Randy could fix it, just maybe everything would be okay for once.

The song came to a close and the people began to clear off the dance floor, some grabbing something to drink, others just leaving. As Stacy looked up, a jolt of distress ran through her. Randy noticed the fright overtaking her and followed her line of vision to the doorway, where a tall, muscular man stood.

Scott.