Uncommon Sense Chapter 16
By Batistafan
Rating - NC-17 for violence
Distribution: If you would like to add this story to
your site that's fine, just let me know.
Main Characters include: Batista, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Christy
Hemme, Nancy Adams (Original Character).

Disclaimer: This is a mature fanfiction intended for mature readers.
This story contains violence, coarse language, as well as mature
sexual situations (some may consider explicit), and these would not
be deemed appropriate for all readers.
I do not own nor claim to have any affiliation with the WWE, its
characters, wrestlers, staff or other affiliates. I do own any
original characters that I have created, as well as scenarios that
ensue throughout the course of this fiction. However, since both my
characters and scenarios are inexorably intertwined with those of
the WWE, my ownership of them is not autonomous.
I do not endorse nor do I discourage the use of any brand-name
products that might be referenced in the fiction and have no claim
to them as they are property of their respective companies of
license. Thank you kindly for not suing.

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It's the soul's duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.

Rebecca West
Irish critic, journalist, & novelist (1892 - 1983)

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Rolling the soft Yellow towel up and tucking it under her sore arm, Nancy was ready for a night time, hot Jacuzzi soak. The soreness from her workout with Dave Batista had finally set in. She had awoken from her nap to the sound of the bedside alarm and the urge to shout out in pain when she reached to rap the snooze button and was met with concentrated tenderness in her chest and biceps. Nancy sighed and smiled, remembering that the soreness was a very pleasant side effect of a workout with a very tempting gentleman.

She slipped on her black flip-flops and picked up her key and a bottle of water, her most highly revered nutritional supplement. Nancy may not have ever eaten right, but she drank enough water for two people and that was better than nothing. She left the lamp on and then slipped out of the cabana, glancing around carefully, heeding Dave's advice to pay attention when it got dark. He'd asked her not to go out by herself, but that couldn't be helped, Max was still out on the town with Vicki and it wasn't exactly safe to say that Nancy had a whole lot of friends in the Diva department. Besides, how harmful would it be to take a soak in a hot tub managed by the cabanas?

The pebbles on the darkened path crunched underfoot as she made her way down the south side of the row of cabana's to the fenced area that housed a huge multi level pool with a stunning waterfall, two Jacuzzis and several seating areas with fire pits, all in a Tiki-hut style that suggested complete relaxation. As she opened the tall wrought iron gate, Nancy could see the spot where she and Dave had shared a picnic lunch together. Looking, she noticed that the beach was now inundated with college aged kids and young adults engaged in debauchery, no doubt. The loud music was filtered out into garbled and unrecognizable tones by the constant rustle of the palm trees above her as the wind coaxed them into a dance. She might be able to hear the music, but thankfully it wouldn't be enough to bother her.

Nancy closed the gate behind her and padded softly over to the farthest Jacuzzi. It had a beautiful view of a large cabana on the hill overlooking the beach. The cabana sat atop that hill so peacefully, curtains fluttering in the lit up windows. She wondered who might have been lucky enough to have procured that particular cabana. Nancy placed her towel and belongings on the chair, nearest the Jacuzzi and slipped her silken sarong from around her waist, letting it fall onto the stone ground. Unable to resist the temptation of the clear bubbling water, she kicked off her shoes and stepped into the tub, her breath catching in her throat at the sudden heat of the water lapping at her skin.

Fully seated in the tub, she leaned her head back, a languid sigh slipping past her lips. The soreness was easing itself from her tired muscles and the feel of the warm water undulating across her chest and arms was bringing to mind imaginings that she had tried to stifle. No matter how hard she might try, closing her eyes only brought images of him closer and more vividly to mind. And any attempts at thinking of something else, only reminded her of how dull a memory was without him in it. Nancy hoped that he had been having fun with his little girls and for a moment, she felt a lump in her throat when she thought about her own father. She could remember him still, clearly and fondly, but along with that memory came the others, the ones after his passing and so she shook them away at the threshold of her mind, refusing to let them shroud her in fear and sadness.

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Dave changed the channel on the television in the front room of the cabana, so that he and Vanessa could watch the 'Twilight Zone', and then set the remote gently on the coffee table. Audrey had declined to join them for the episode, saying that she had to practice using her sword so that when trouble arose, she could be ready. A stream of "Hiyah's! And swooshing noises emanated from the girl's room, along with a very distinct soft, repetitive 'thwack!', that he could only assume was the contact of the plastic sword with the bedding. He smiled to himself, and glanced down at Vanessa who was applying the third color of nail polish to her toenails after having painted and then removed the previous two 'completely unsuitable' colors. The smell of nail polish remover, despite the open windows was suffocating.

"I'm gonna go check on your sister." Dave said blinking his eyes to stop them from watering.

"Okay Daddy, just hurry though, this episode is a good one." She looked up from her painting and raised her eyebrows. "Can you make popcorn on your way back?"

"Yep." He nodded, glad to have another excuse to free himself from the smell of the polish remover. Standing, he stretched and then turned and followed the high pitched battle cry that he was sure belonged to Audrey.

He poked his head around the corner to find his youngest daughter engaged in combat with two pillows that had been stacked lengthwise, on top of one another, tied in the middle with one of his belts and leaned up against the empty wall. He watched as Audrey spun and twirled, wielding the sword above her head, her long hair, flying outward behind her, from underneath the helmet. She stopped and then jabbed the sword fatally into the 'pillow man', and then obligingly she made the gurgling death sounds that she was sure he might have made if he were real.

Dave closed his eyes and smiled, shaking his head. What a handful she was.

"Now you're dead!" Audrey declared to the 'pillow man'. "And that means that you won't be able to mess with no one, never again!"

Audrey then turned her attentions to another invisible enemy that was evidently appearing from the bathroom doorway. She let out another high-pitched battle cry and ran into the bathroom to attack.

Grinning, Dave decided to go change out of his dress slacks and shirt into a more comfortable pair of athletic pants. He walked softly down the hall so as not to disturb Audrey in the midst of battle and slipped into his master bedroom unnoticed. The wind was blowing through the open window bringing in the soft fragrance of the flowers outside. Ones, he thought with a smile, that Nancy would know the names of even if he didn't. He went to the window, and casually leaned against the frame, glancing down the hill to the spot where they had been today. His eyebrows pleated when he saw the beach full of partying teenagers, marring his view, but not his memory. He let his eyes travel to the gated in pool area and a very lonely soul soaking in the hot tub. Oddly familiar, she was. Dave narrowed his eyes and then catching a glimpse of the curls blowing softly around her face, he tilted his head. He would know those tresses from a mile away. The hair blew back away from her face and he could tell it was her. Alone, in the dark, with just the few lit-up torches around her, shining down on the olive skin of her face and shoulders. He took in a deep breath and swallowed. He wanted her here, up here with him…with them. It was strange he thought…wanting to share his baby girls, when before he would never have even considered it.

He looked around for Max, and frowned when he realized that he was nowhere in the vicinity. It made him a bit nervous that Nancy was by herself. He consigned himself to watching her for a moment, hoping that she would decide to leave soon and then he could maybe meet up with her on the path and walk her back to her cabana. He watched her roll her neck from side to side working out what he determined must be a muscle cramp, and even from his vantage point he could see the rise of her cleavage that was barely hidden by the water and that unfortunately demure bikini top. The sound of scraping metal drew his attention and he let his eyes follow the noise to the wrought iron gate that closed off the pool area.

A group of young men entered the pool area, with liquor in tow, complete with raucous laughter and their own portable party. Dave shifted uncomfortably against the window frame, biting the inside of his cheek. He watched with concern, as the boys passed the Jacuzzi and set up shop at a table not far from it, all the while settling a strange perusal on Nancy. She evidently felt uncomfortable, he surmised, for her head whipped up and her eyes opened as soon as they came into the surrounding area of her. He could sense her uneasiness from his position in the cabana high on the hill, and watched as she didn't allow her gaze to meet with any of the young men, who had now become oddly silent save for the occasional bubble of laughter. They seemed to be intently focused on her and it gave Dave such a strong sense of foreboding, and put such a strange taste in his mouth, he knew instantly something was not right.

He listened carefully all the while, not taking his eyes off of Nancy, as the group of men tried to engage her in conversation. Dave was thankful when he saw Nancy lean forward and prepare to exit the Jacuzzi, but alarm settled in again when she stepped out and a loud suggestive whistle came from the mouth of one of the men in the group. He watched as Nancy, opting not to take the time to dry off, hurriedly whipped the sarong around her wet body. A mistake, as from here he could see the way it clung to her curves, hiding nothing…emphasizing everything, and if he could see it, then he knew that they could also. Another round of lewd comments and attempts to engage her attentions, as she nervously fumbled to pick up her possessions. Her effort to leave the pool was stymied by one of the young men who stood up quickly, beer in hand and rushed around to the front of her.

"Don't go…" Dave heard him say. "Have a beer with us."

He could hear Nancy's polite refusal and he could see her attempt to pass the man, which was blocked by another in the group who was trying to hand her a beer. She politely refused again and Dave felt his heart thundering loudly in his chest as a third young man in the group stood and approached her from behind. He had seen enough and he stalked into the front room, swiping the room key up in his hand.

"Vanessa, watch your sister." He said. "I'll be right back."

"Where's the popcorn, Daddy?" Vanessa asked noticing the look of alarm on her father's face. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"I'll be right back." He chose not to tell her. "Lock the door behind me."

Vanessa watched her father go, sensing his uneasiness, she walked past the spare bedroom into her father's room where he had been, wondering what might have caused him to panic.

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"I'm sorry, no thanks." Red flags were popping up all around Nancy and had been since the moment the motley crew had entered the pool area. "I can't." She reaffirmed, but with fearful anxiety, she noticed that her refusals were falling on deaf ears.

"You look like you might be fun to hang with." A tall blonde young man observed, his long, surfer-style hair, whipping past her face, bringing with it the smell of sweat and stale beer. He was rancid at best.

"Well, thank you, but I have to be going." Nancy was starting to feel desperate. "My friends are waiting on me."

"Just have a beer with us…" Another of them asked. "Just one beer and then you can go hang with your pals." His words were terribly slurred as he too stood and on unsteady legs, approached her, holding a beer for her.

"No, I can't." Nancy said again, noting that her attempt to step aside was thwarted again, by the first of the men.

He reached out and grasped a stray curl, smiling, through his drunken stupor. "I like your hair…I like you."

"Please let me leave." Nancy reached out snapping her curl away from him, and in the process, dropping her key onto the ground.

"You know what I think, Mason?" A voice coming from behind her appeared to be much more sober and refined, but the oily tone of it had a lethal undercurrent that sent a shiver racing up Nancy's spine. "I don't think she has friends waiting on her…" He was just inches behind her and turning around, she missed her opportunity to retrieve her key, which was snatched up by one of the others in the group. "I think…that she thinks she's too good to party with us."

'Not again, Not again…' Her mind was racing in a hundred directions, unable to settle on any one particular thought and then the feel of a hand cupping her backside, flared her dander. "Let me leave!" Nancy said harshly, refusing to be a simpering idiot. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing that she was afraid, and by God she was afraid. "I don't wanna party with you, I have plans…" She reiterated. "Now give me my key and let me leave."

The mocking laughter of the group made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but the huge hulking figure approaching in the dark, gave her a measure of hope. 'Please God let him be an employee.' She prayed silently as the figure approached. One of the men grasped for her towel. "Why don't you just sit down and party for a few minutes and then you can leave." The drunken suggestion caused nausea to roil in her stomach. Another hopeful look at the approaching figure and another hand was pulling at her from behind, wrapping around her stomach in an attempt to lift her off of the ground.

Nancy elbowed the offender sharply and was rewarded with a laugh and a slap on the backside, and now the figure shrouded in darkness became bathed in the light of the torches, causing her miniscule shred of hope to blaze into full fledged gratitude.

"Oh Sweet Jesus." She whispered, filled with thankfulness. "Dave!" She fought against the arm that was pinning her from behind to the chest of the drunken sloth, delivering another sharp elbow and being rewarded with another grunt.

Dave whipped open the gate, his blood boiling. "Nancy." He knew that she was terrified as she pulled away from the man and ran past them toward him. "Who are your friends?" He asked through tightened lips, his entire demeanor cloaked in eerie calm. He held out his arm as a refuge.

"They wouldn't let me leave." Nancy said tears rimming her lashes.

"I saw that." He told her, his voice deep and strained as he looked down into her face. The presence of her fear made him angry all over again.

"Well whaddya know the lady does have a friend." The apparent leader of the group said, his words hopelessly garbled.

"They have my key." She whispered to Dave. "I dropped it trying to leave and they won't give it back to me."

Dave nodded, knowing that if he didn't get the key they would have access to her even if she could get a replacement key from the office, that fact incited a strange twitch in his jaw. He placed his hand flat on her belly and guided her gently behind him as he made dangerously ominous eye contact with the group in front of him.

"Don't be mad, dude." The tallest of the young men spoke. "We just wanted to show the lady a good time."

Dave nodded his head. "Much appreciated, but I seem to remember the lady tried to excuse herself and you didn't get the hint." His eyes glittered threateningly.

"Well, you know women." The man informed. "They might say 'no', but inside they really mean 'yes'."

Dave sniffed and smiled arrogantly. "A matter of perception, I'm sure." He clenched his jaw again. "But at any rate, you have something that doesn't belong to you, so why don't you just hand it over and we'll call it a night."

From behind the shelter of Dave's enormous body, Nancy felt a measure of safety. Her heart was still rapping out a cadence of terror and her eyes still flicked nervously from one guy to the next, but something about Dave's act of placing himself in harm's way for her, was soothing to her and stealing away the panic she had felt before he came out of the shadows to her rescue.

"Oh, the key." The boy said holding it up. "Seems to me like she wanted us to have it, she threw it at my feet." This comment brought up another round of drunken laughter from the group. "I think I'll just save it for later."

"Okay." Dave said, nodding his head. "We could do that, but I think I'll just take it back now." His voice was so deadly serene that it made Nancy shiver.

"Take it back…" The boy repeated, laughing. "How is it you plan to do that?"

Nancy felt a ripple of muscles beneath the hand that she had placed in the middle of Dave's back, a split second before his arm shot out like a lightening bolt and took hold of the young man's hair. He pulled the boy down onto the ground and then kneeling he pressed his knee into the upper, back portion of the boy's arm, pinning him painfully against the stone. Nancy was in utter shock at the sheer speed with which he had put the young man down. Dave didn't have to pry open the fingers, the young man released the key immediately. Dave then picked it up and tossed it to Nancy who caught it and curled her fingers around it swallowing her surprise.

He lifted the young man up, releasing his arm and then giving him a small shove backward toward the rest of his group who now seemed less than eager to tangle with the lady and her friend.

"You fellows have a good night, now." Dave said straightening his shirt and smiling sardonically, his hand still reaching behind him, reassuring himself that Nancy was still there and safe.

The group said nothing as Dave and Nancy retreated, but after the gate had closed behind them and the two began to disappear into the darkness, one of the boys yelled out a few choice comments about steroid rage. Ignoring them, Dave wrapped his own shirt around Nancy's shoulders, laced his fingers through hers and walked quickly toward the path that led to her cabana. He glanced back as they walked in silence, making sure that none of the drunken group had decided to follow.

"I can't believe you came out here alone." He admonished her lightly. "I told you not to." He reminded her, the apprehensive tightness in his stomach beginning to lessen.

"I know." Nancy said, feeling a twinge of guilt and a hell of a lot of relief for his having been in the neighborhood. "How did you know I was down there?"

"I saw you from my window." He stopped in front of her door.

"I'm glad you came." Nancy said, the hidden tears dripping down her cheeks as she bit her lower lip trying not to cry. The sudden rush of liberation and the realization of how close she had come to being hurt, caused her to be all the more indebted for his apparent clairvoyance.

He enfolded her with both arms…just holding on to her, pressing her small body against his chest. He had known she was scared, and he had been scared for her, watching from the window while the boy's bad intentions had been thrust on her. He leaned his chin on top of her head and could feel her trembling…it tore at his spirit. He traced lazy circles over her back with his fingertips as he held her there in silence, until he was sure she was sufficiently comforted. He leaned her back in his embrace and smiled, the entire front of his body was wet because of her. With a little laugh he wondered how he would explain this one to his daughters.

"I'll walk you in." Dave said as she fought to put the key in the lock with her shaking fingers. He pulled her backward up against his chest to calm her down and whispered in her ear. "It's okay." Her hair tickled his neck and he reached his hand out, placing it on top of hers, guiding the key easily into the lock and then gently helping her turn it. She didn't open the door right away. Instead, she closed her eyes and leaned back against his chest. The solidity of him behind her, his arm around her waist, his hand still on her hand and his breath racing down the side of her face, was causing a heated coil to tighten and revolve in her belly. She felt safe from everything else but him…and she knew that this feeling that had taken up residence in her soul, this utter desire for dependence upon him was going to cost her dearly…she was very far from safe right now…and she didn't care.

The familiar shock of desire pulsated through Dave Batista's body at the knowledge that she didn't want him to leave, and yet he knew reluctantly that he could not stay. Still…holding her against him was killing his composure…and he wondered if she could possible know what she was doing to him. He pushed the door open and a quick survey told him that they were alone. His hand pressed the door shut behind them, but he would not release her, he held her there in front of him, the curves of her back nestled against the front of his body, comfortably, perfectly.

"I can't stay." Dave whispered against the silken skin of her neck as his lips grazed a trail from just behind her ear to the outer edge of her shoulder.

"I know." She admitted as her arm rose upward and wound itself around the back of his head. She took in a sharp breath as his gentle nuzzle became a tender bite, his teeth scraping gently against her shoulder.

"I don't want to leave." He confessed as he ran his tongue up her neck and then pulled her earlobe between his teeth. His hand slid slowly down her stomach to the waist of the damp sarong and his fingers slid gently just below that hem line.

The tiny gasp that escaped from her throat was followed by her hand clenching his hair gently. This was sinful, and wrong and right, all at the same time. She began to throb in secret places as his hand teased a fiery path across her belly back up to her rib cage, all the while his lips assaulting her neck. She could feel his swollen member pressing against her back, solid and imposing and it forced her to lose all rational thought at the imagination of what it might feel like to have him inside of her. She spun around in his embrace, snaking her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his, nudging his lips apart with her own.

His hands became disobedient in their exploration of her waist, and her back and then the curve of her bottom to which he couldn't deny himself. He wanted to lift her up and press her against the wall and take her right then and there. And he would have…if she hadn't pulled away, her eyes a mix of liquid desire and remorse.

"Oh, God…Your girls…I'm sorry." He heard her say and he watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, emphasizing the tempting curve of those breasts that he had been about to sample for his own. She didn't step away, and he didn't release her. He was half tempted to say 'to hell with it all' and go ahead and finish the decadence they had started, but her rationale brought him back to the present and he nodded. "I better go." He sighed with the frustration of unfinished pleasures and then planting a very hard, very fierce kiss on her lips, his hand possessively cupped behind her neck, he backed away.

"I wanna ask you something." He stared at her red, swollen lips.

She stood waiting to hear his question, her heart pounding and her body aching and bereft.

"I want you to think about meeting my daughters tomorrow, at the arena." He wanted it desperately. He wanted this…all of it…his life with them…with her. He couldn't pin down any certain scenario that suited more than another. He just knew that he couldn't let her go. He wanted her in there somewhere, no matter what. "Would you consider that?"

She smiled in shock. "Are you sure?" She nodded, "I'd like that."

She let him kiss her again quickly, as voices could be heard from the pathway. It was Max and Vicki.

"I'll see you at the arena." His eyes held hers. "Don't go out alone again."

Nancy nodded and his hand slowly slipped out of hers as he turned to open the door.

"Max." He acknowledged the portly gentleman, who looked with unabashed curiosity at the very wet front of Dave's body, and the soaked body of his best friend.

A smile curved the corners of Max's mouth as he stood there holding Vicki's hand. "Dave." He regarded the tall wrestler in return. "Hope I didn't interrupt anything."

Dave didn't answer, he just nodded to Nancy, and said. "I'll get my shirt back tomorrow." With a wink he walked down the path and into the shadows.

"How in the hell do I always miss the good stuff?" Max whined, pulling Vicki by the hand into the room with them. "What was going on up here?"

"Nothing." Nancy said irritably, wishing they hadn't shown up when they had.

"How come you're wearing his shirt?" Max pointed toward the door where Dave Batista had just made his exit. "And why is he all wet down the front? Were you two doing the vertical mambo?"

"That's horizontal mambo." Vicki corrected him.

"Whatever…" He dismissed her correction and asked again. "Are you two doing the do?"

"If we were, I wouldn't be telling you anyhow." Nancy sat down on the bed, trying to steady her rattled nerves.

"Well we just came up here to check on you and ask if you wanted to go to that Native dance thing on the beach." Max asked, still trying to envision how Dave had ended up all wet and half unclothed. "But it looks like you've already been doing some dancing of your own."

She dodged his jest "No thanks, I'm just going to hit the sack." What Nancy wanted least right now was Max's persistent hounding and the curious ear of another RAW staffer…what she wanted most had already headed back to his own cabana.

"Suit yourself, there's a buffet down there, though." Max tried one last attempt at persuasion.

Strangely Nancy didn't feel like eating. All she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and dream about what almost happened before Max showed up. "Maybe some other time."

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Vanessa watched with fearful curiosity as her father stomped down the path below the cabana toward the pool. She could clearly see a group of boys harassing a lady. She could hear some of the terrible things they were saying and she felt sorry for the woman.

"What are you looking at?" Audrey piped up from beneath her bronze plastic helmet.

Vanessa jumped, startled and then scowled at her sister. "What are you doing in here? I thought you had monsters to fight or something."

"I killed them all…what are you looking at?" Audrey repeated, pushing aside the gauzy curtains.

"Don't make any noise okay." Vanessa ordered, intent on seeing why her father was going to the pool when he had promised her a movie and popcorn.

She watched as her father opened the gate. The men were putting their hands on the lady and trying to make her stay, Vanessa frowned. She realized that her father probably didn't even know the woman, but he had most likely seen the harassment from the window and being the sort of man he was, he had chosen to go help her.

"Why is Daddy down there?" Audrey asked in a low voice.

"He's helping that lady." Vanessa answered, her heart filling with a sense of pride for her father.

"I should go help him." Audrey announced sensing an impending battle and turned to go.

Vanessa snatched her by the collar and hauled her back to her side. "Get back here, you're not going out there…Daddy can handle it."

Audrey frowned and shrugged her sister's hand off. "Don't yank!" She snapped, but obediently stayed by her sister.

Vanessa watched the exchange with interest and couldn't help but think that maybe her Daddy knew the woman, because he had put his arm around her and then put her behind himself. She was still wondering about it when she noticed her father grab the man in front of him and slam him face first to the ground. This was not wrestling…this was serious, and Vanessa felt a pang of fear as she clamped her hand over her own mouth to keep from hollering out. Getting her father's attention from up here might cause him a distraction down there and he might be hurt, she reasoned, and so she kept quiet.

Audrey, on the other hand did not. "Get him Daddy!" She piped up but Vanessa clapped her hand on Audrey's fearless little mouth and told her to hush. Both girls watched in shocked silence as their father heaved the young man up to his feet and then shoved him backward, and both were relieved as their father walked away, leading the lady away with him.

"I wonder who she is." Vanessa said to no one in particular.

"She's a pretty lady." Audrey said, yawning. "That's prolly why he beat up that mean guy. He likes helping pretty ladies, I think." She seemed satisfied with her own observation and she nodded sharply, causing her helmet to tip forward over her eyes, and topple to the floor.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, a smile crossing her lips. "Come on, it's time for you to go to bed." She led her baby sister away from the window, having a new admiration for her father.

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Dave Batista walked up the hill toward his cabana, his heart still pounding and his body still evidencing his reaction to Nancy's soft curves pressed against the much harder planes of his tall frame. He knew what he would have done if not for her sudden, apologetic reminder that he had daughters to think about. He thought ruefully that he would have made love to her right there in that cabana and not cared who knew…but she cared…she had cared that his daughters might have known, or wondered where he was. That meant a lot to him, because they meant a lot to him.

He kicked a stray rock and it skittered out of his way, somewhere into the darkness that shrouded the pathway. It was impossible for him to deny how he was feeling anymore. Dave couldn't be true to himself if he didn't pursue this for all he was worth. He would be lying to himself if he said he didn't want her…and he knew, by God Almighty…he knew that she wanted him. A wicked smile and a frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he thought about how sinfully her body had responded to his touch. The tender tilt of her neck and the soft gasp when he had kissed her there. It was evident in the way her ass had involuntarily pressed backward, ever so subtly against his groin, and in the way her stomach muscles had clenched when his fingers had dared to dip just below the line of her hem. It was unmistakable in the way her nipples had hardened against his chest when she had spun around in his embrace to kiss him. He knew she was his for the taking and he was torturing himself with these small samplings of her, when what he wanted was to have it all, over and over again.

He groaned out loud. It was very nearly a growl as he yanked the door of the cabana open, hoping that he hadn't missed too much of the episode of Twilight Zone.

Vanessa who was still on the floor, this time with a can of diet soda and one of her books, looked up at her father with an expression of confused humor.

"Gee Daddy, if you wanted to go swimming you should have just worn a swimsuit." She smirked, looking evermore like her father, as she took note of the water stain down the front of his pants and his missing shirt.

"Is Audrey asleep?" He asked dodging the jest and noting the odd silence, the air devoid of any war cries.

"I think so." Vanessa responded sipping her soda. "I made her lay down. Don't forget the popcorn." She appeared to be fighting a grin.

He'd bet a dollar to a donut that his daughter knew where he'd been, he knew her well enough to know that her behavior was odd. He walked back to his master bedroom and upon seeing the bronze helmet lying in the floor by the window, he knew it was a bet he would have won. "Dammit." He muttered softly. He had never wanted his daughters to see him in a fight, and he was sure they probably had. He closed the door and took his pants off, slipping into his sweats and a tank top.

A few steps down the hall and he let himself into his daughter's room, grinning when he saw the mouse ears flopped onto the pillow next to his tiny girl. He tiptoed over to where she lay and sat down on the bed beside her, the mattress sinking down under his weight.

"Audrey…" He whispered, suspecting she wasn't completely asleep.

Audrey rolled her head over and smiled wearily at her father, through heavy-lidded eyes. "Hi Daddy…" She slurred, tired. "I'm glad you helped the pretty lady." Her voice was a murmur. "But next time you should take my sword."

So they had seen…he felt a twinge of guilt. "I did help the pretty lady and she's okay now, so go to sleep." He leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Audrey yawned, "Well if you need my sword for anything, I hid it under my pillow."

He couldn't help but crack a wide grin, as he saw that the plastic hilt was clearly sticking out from her pillow where anyone could see it. He appreciated her attempt to hide it. "Thank you, I'll remember that." He rubbed her hair out of her face, and then shut off the lamp and made his way back out into the living room to his older daughter whom he was sure was eagerly and humorously awaiting an explanation.

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The next morning found Dave Batista shirtless, wrapped in the sheets of his huge bed, his arm, the only fully awakened part of his body, lashing out furiously in an attempt to hit the snooze button n the whining alarm clock. Finding it, he tapped it until the maniacal wail of the alarm silenced abruptly. He didn't bother to look at the time on the clock. He hadn't even remembered setting the alarm. Pulling fiercely at the covers, he realized with frustration that he couldn't get them over his head as he wished, but rather they were hopelessly caught on something of substantial weight and they refused to budge. Those cursed sheets also, he realized, came equipped with a persistent giggle.

Rolling over, he found himself face to face with the tip of a plastic sword and a smug, fresh-faced, fully dressed, properly helmeted, Audrey…the obvious source of the giggle. She laughed when he jumped with a start, and chortled when she saw him glare at the clock.

"It's Five Thirty, Audrey." He frowned, half tempted to yank the sheets out from under her so he could get back to sleep. Instead he rolled back over away from her and shut his eyes.

"I have come to get rebengeance for the poor people you promised to feed and you didn't!" She was in battle mode, the sword still dangerously close to him. She jabbed him in the back with sword. "Roll over…King…father!" She was making it up as she went, and he groaned, rolling over to face her.

"What are you gonna say about yourself and the poor people you promised to feed?" Audrey aimed the tip of the sword at his throat. "Remember I could kill you badly with this weapon." She warned.

"I don't recall ever saying I would feed anyone until after 8 A.M." He gently pushed the sword away with his fingertips. "And if you kill me, then who's left to drive the poor people to IHOP?"

"I'm hungry Daddy." Audrey dropped the tip of the sword and put her face mere inches from her father's. "Did you know that Mommy taught me how to set my own alarm?"

"And thus, is solved the mystery of why I'm awake at five-thirty in the morning." Dave said sleepily, opening one eyelid to regard Audrey. "Go wake up the other poor people and I'll take you to breakfast."

Audrey squealed in delight and scrambled off of the bed. Halfway out of the room she realized she had left her sword and helmet, and she raced back in after them. Temptation got the better of her, however, and she couldn't resist another well placed jab in the middle of her father's big back. She was rewarded with a howl and a chance to dodge a flying pillow as he rolled back over on the huge bed.

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Nancy rolled over again, her eyelids popping open like roll-up window shades on the fritz. She huffed and readjusted the covers, afraid to look at the clock again. The sun hadn't even come up yet, Max was still asleep, as evidenced by the loud snore falling out of his open mouth, which prevented any attempt on her part to fall asleep again. Her dreams hadn't been much of a help either. They were a collage of faces she didn't want to see, in situations she had almost been able to forget, she had half considered going down to the bar for a drink to help her sleep, but opted out of it, remembering that Dave had told her not to go out alone.

And then there was him, and the unforgettable feel of his body against hers, she groaned and flopped onto her other side, squeezing her eyes shut again. He was so completely under her skin that she couldn't even get through an hour without seeing him in her mind's eye or remembering his mouth on her body. Realizing that trying to sleep was completely futile she tossed the covers aside and headed for the shower.

Max, on the other hand, had been awake for the past hour or so, faking sleep, and listening to Nancy toss and turn like an insomniac. He couldn't quite understand why this whole friendship was affecting her the way it was, and why they hadn't just gotten over the whole newness of it and admitted the obvious affection they held for one another. He decided it was time for him to have a talk with 'Mr. World Heavyweight Champion' himself. Oh, true enough he ran the risk of being pummeled, but something had to be done or else they might never get it over with.

Max also tossed the covers aside, looking at the clock and deciding on restaurant take-out, he pulled his pants on over his boxers and a shirt over his tank top and headed out of the cabana to the café to place his order.

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Sweat dripped in rivulets down the front of his body as he continued to ascend the never ending incline of the stair stepper, trying to finish his post-workout cardio. His stay at the cabana came equipped with access to the resort's gym and since there was no Gold's Gym in the near vicinity, he had chosen to do his workout here. He was impressed with how well the small facility was equipped. It had all of the free-weights one could want and plenty of machines, as well as a sauna and a whirlpool tub.

He was in mid stride, when the door of the facility swung open, revealing Max, clad in a frumpy pair of sweats and a tattered t-shirt. He nodded his head in recognition of Dave and Dave nodded back as he watched Max glance nervously at the equipment around him. He observed as Max chose a treadmill and stepped onto the belt, quickly surveying the onscreen instructions. After randomly punching a few buttons, the belt began to move slowly at first but as it picked up pace, Max began to have trouble with the runaway speed. He smartly jumped off of the belt, straddling it with a foot on either side of the furiously speeding belt. He was trying to find a button to slow the treadmill down, but before he could accomplish that, the belt, dangerously close to his undone shoelace, snatched it up and pulled his leg out from under him. Max's knee smacked against the runaway belt, but his arms with a mind of their own, held fast to the railing. This put Max in type of forward limbo, a veritable, athletic catch 22. The speeding belt was burning holes in the knees of his sweats. He knew that if he let go, he might smash his face into the machine and be hurt, but the friction of the belt as it tore at the flesh of his knees would surely cause him more harm if he continued to hold on...He tried desperately to regain his composure and run at the pace of the belt, but it was useless.

All the while Dave Batista was staring with a mixture of genuine shock and unchecked humor. He almost fell off of his own machine, so engrossed was he in the disaster unfolding only a few feet away. He found he would fare better if he simply got off of the stair stepper and went to give Max a hand. But before he could make his way over to Max to render him aid, the outsized fellow let go of the rails and was rocketed off of the end of the treadmill like a greased bullet. Dave could not control his laughter, and he had to turn away.

Max jumped up, hair disheveled, sweats ripped and blood dripping from his knees, shaking off the incident as if nothing had happened.

"They should put warning labels on those things." Max heaved and headed for the water fountain.

Dave laughed into his towel, trying to be subtle and then wiped the sweat from his face and chest. "You alright?" He asked fighting to keep a smile off of his face.

"I'm cool." Max appeared to be the picture of refinement, as he leaned against what he thought was a wall. It was however a large floor to ceiling poster suspended tightly between two columns, used to separate the stretching area from the rest of the equipment. Before Dave could warn Max, his arm went completely through the thick poster, promptly followed by his body.

"Shit." Dave mumbled, laughing, he didn't try to hide his amusement this time as he leaned forward and extended his hand. "Let me help you up, man." His shoulders shook with laughter as he lifted Max up onto his feet. "They should probably put a warning label on that too." Dave commented attempting to brush him off, but then deciding against it.

"No doubt." Max agreed, as he picked up the remains of his crumpled cup.

"You don't work out much, do you?" Dave assumed, believing that Max's visit to the gym had something to do with his foray last night with Nancy and nothing to do with getting in shape.

"No, I don't…I actually came to talk to you." Max cut to the chase, careful in how he chose his words. "I just thought that maybe if you liked Nancy…I mean you seem to like her…" He stammered. "Of course, you like her…because it's twice now that I've walked in on…"

"Wait a minute." Dave cut in. "You came down here to ask me if I like Nancy? This isn't junior high school, Max."

"I know, I just…" Max interjected.

Dave nodded and wagged his finger at Max, smiling. "It's an interesting game you're playing, Max…and a dangerous one." His eyes darkened ominously. Now would be as good a time as any to confront Max about what he knew. "Do you have a clue what type of element hangs out at arenas after a venue?" He watched Max shake his head nervously. "I didn't think so." Dave tossed his towel in the bucket by the door. "You're really lucky that my bag went missing and it made me late, unless of course you had something to do with that as well, because it was me who stumbled on Nancy in that dark parking garage and not someone else with bad intentions."

"Are you insinuating that I…" Max was cut off again.

"I am." Dave snapped. "Watching you peek out of the back window of the bus confirmed that one for me."

"I didn't…" Max was cut off once more.

"Don't do that shit again." Dave's voice was treacherously low and calculated. "Now that we're clear on that point, I will say thank you, because if I'd not had the privilege of giving her a ride, I might not have…" he let his words trail off and then he extended his hand toward Max. "You're her best friend and I respect that, but don't put her in a bad position again." He shook Max's hand, watching Max swallow his fear and pride and then he walked past Max out into the morning breeze.

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"You don't need that. Audrey." Dave insisted regarding his daughter's apparel and dangerous battle accessories.

"I do so need it and Mommy would let me have it." She argued lightly, her eyes filled with concern for her precious helmet, breastplate and sword.

Dave sighed and turned to Vanessa who was chewing the corner of her fingernail. "What would your mother say?" He knew that Vanessa was nothing if not honest and she would tell him the truth whether he wanted to hear it or not.

"You know how Mom is…she would let her wear the helmet and the shield thingy, but she would for sure make her leave the sword." Vanessa was rewarded with an intensely vicious glare from her baby sister.

Although it wasn't complete submission, it was a concession he could live with.

"Hand it over." He held out his hand knowing that Audrey wouldn't relinquish it without one last defense.

"Daddy, rasselin' matches are dangerous places, I need my weapon." She frowned and looked at him, pleading with her huge almond shaped eyes.

"You have a helmet and body armor, and a big sister, you'll be safe." He assured her and motioned with his hand for her to give over the weapon.

"I'll leave it in the car." She tried again.

"You'll leave it here." He demanded softly and she ducked her head, handing him her weapon reluctantly. "Good girl. Go get your shoes on."

"Thank God." Vanessa whispered with relief to her father as Audrey traipsed sadly down the hall.

They might have made her give up her sword, but she wouldn't go unarmed, she still had two weapons left at her disposal. One which she had saved from breakfast and another which she had been fashioning from two paper clips she had found in the pages of the picture book in the cabana kitchen. She wasn't sure what she would use that one for…she just knew that it was awfully sharp and pokey and would probably make somebody scream.

She tugged on her Dora the Explorer shoes with the Velcro straps and then the idea came to her that she could put the pokey weapon in someone's shoe, but the only people that ever went without shoes around her were Daddy and Vanessa and of course Mommy, who she would never, ever trick, because Mommy could spank ever so much harder than you would believe. She could put it in her sister's shoe, but Vanessa would make a mean face and tell Mommy and then she would spank her anyhow. Putting it in Daddy's shoe might be funny, because he made loud holler noises when he got hurt, but then he might tell Mommy and there would still be a spank.

Audrey decided that she'd probably better save the weapon for someone who didn't know her Mommy. She tucked it down in her pocket, wincing when it poked her finger, and nodded her head. It might not be a sword, but it would definitely make somebody sorry they messed with her.