Damaged Goods

Ch 3 Baby steps

Disclaimer- own nothing and no one you recognize. . .yet . . .dun dun dun

"So tell me, why do you have to go out there? You're not part of the match" Lizzie asked as they neared the stage.

"because that's my job. As of now my sole purpose is to cheer on Kane and to the best of my ability, try to make sure his opponents fight fair." Carrie shrugged off feelings of self doubt replacing them with self encouragement trying to convince herself she wasn't in over her head.

"Kane has you to cheer him on? Oh he's screwed, most completely screwed." Sidney smirked.

"Hey I-" as they rounded a corner a large palm grabbed her shoulder. "Kane" Carrie turned, looking upwards to see his towel toped head.

"Carrie. Don't come to the ring tonight" He stated coldly.

"What? I know yo don't like me, but give me a-"

"I don't. . ." He took a moment, breathing deeply, controlling everything boiling to the surface. ' I don't not like you. I hate myself for it, but I like everything about you. I . . .can't tell her that. I wont be weak, I can't let her get to me. Women equals pain.' He fought a war against himself, his face contorted in confusion and anger. "I don't need distractions" 'What if she helps Edge in the match? Id swallow shards of glass before I see that happen to me again. What is Edge hurts her? What if I hurt her? Women make things so complicated'

"I can carry my weight. Trust me-"

"I don't trust anyone now" Kane, every free moment couldn't help but relive the times when he let his trust be misused.

"Well I can't make you trust me, but I'm not asking you if I can be outside that ring tonight. I'm telling you Mr. Tough guy." Carrie pated Kane on the shoulder.

"Is that right?" Kane laughed in his demented way.

"You bet your black boots it's right" she grinned as Kane seemed to give in and the two of them walked the rest of the way to the curtain.

"You look scared" Kane glanced over to Carrie biting her lip as the ring came into focus, Edge and Lita already making themselves comfortable in one corner.

"Just got a lot on my mind. But work's no place for personal thoughts so" She shook her head as to wake herself up. "All suppressed" She gave him a wink as she hoped into the ring. Kane just shook his head, she was so hyper so happy but he had also seen her lingering and somber, she had shown him numerous sides of herself, but he wouldn't do her to same, he wanted to but. 'I don't know how. I shouldn't want to I'm as monstrous from any side. She's tricking me.' he climbed over the ropes, clenching his eyes tight trying to quiet his mind, his hands folded into fists he was being enveloped with pent up rage and frustration. "Should we be making out?" Carrie asked nonchalantly.

"What?" Kane almost choked on his tongue getting the word out. Carrie wasn't even looking at Kane, her head was tilted slightly to the right gawking at the unsanitary display of affection that was taking place in front of her.

"I was kidding. Don't worry I'll never touch you in an unprofessional way ever again, made that mistake before" She blushed remembering how awkward and sleazy she had felt that night. Knowing him one day she had placed herself out on the line. 'I can change everything but who I am and that means I'm not going to be kissing anyone publicly or not for sometime.' She just laughed it off so as not to dwell on it.

"Good." Kane moved in Edge's direction, he wouldn't let Edge have the happiness that he himself had been deprived of.

"woh woh woh, is this the thanks I get for all my troubles? Can you say ungrateful, or maybe jealous, it's alright I would be too if I were you. . .but. . . I'm not, So I don't care. Anyway I've got stuff to do so come on" Edge had a sleazy grin on his face.

"Get out of the ring" Kane kept his eyes on Edge.

"You got it partner. Good luck" Carrie snook in a little hug that Kane seemed to disapproved of, she could feel his body tense under her arms and she quickly detached. "sorry" with a hop skip and a jump she was out of the ring.

Meeting in the center of the ring Kane and edge locked, only for Kane to shove Edge backwards. Lita was very loud, screaming and clapping as the match unfolded but Carrie was surprisingly quiet just studying the match contently, smiling when Kane had the upper hand and holding her breath when he was beaten down. "I know your new to this and scared of him, but still try and be supportive" Lita advised with a sneer circling the ring.

"I am" Carrie didn't take her eyes of the match.

"you're not doing anything" Lita scoffed.

"exactly." 'Kane's not used to the fans cheering for him, let alone a jumpity girl just feet away. He needs to stay focused. I'll prove my worth I've just got to bide my time.'

"I'll show you what supportive is" Lita took notice to the incapacitated ref that had been accidentally tackled into the turnbuckle by Kane. Edge had forearmed Kane, once down on one knee Edge kicked feverishly at his ribs. And with Lita handing Edge the title through the ropes Kane was in serious trouble. 'Wow I didn't have to wait long at all' Carrie scurried beneath the ropes and with Lita on her coat tail made it just in time between Edge and Kane. Edge had the title in both hands right above his shoulder ready to crash down in Kane's skull but there was an obstacle in the way. Edge and Lita looked at one another but once Edge saw Kane begin to sit up, no longer stunned and unable to stand. Carrie got served a face full of championship gold. She crumpled to the ground brushing against Kane's hunched back as she fell. Kane had been catching his breath regaining energy that Edge had been chopping away at, he hadn't seen what had happened and wouldn't have been much help if he had. but when he stood and saw Carrie's motionless form on the mat the boiling hot blood that streamed through his veins turned ice cold, his remnants of sanity fleeted from him. His eyes were cold iced over with madness and rage.'How could she be so stupid I told her not to get in the ring. She's knocked out cold. Why would she do this?' He looked down at her face it was so calm looking, but he could still see the pain lingering in her last conscious expression. 'She did it for me. She sacrificed that thick head of hers for me' He was so unfamiliar with what was going on but he had to regain control of the situation. He turned to Edge.

"See you both have something in common. You're experts at getting slammed in the head" Edge knocked his fist to his skull.

"Babe shhh" Lita couldn't understand why Edge would taunt a noticeably enraged Red machine. When Kane drew nearer both Edge and Lita retreated equal paces. Kane trotted a few steps and grabbed Edge by the throat and hoisted him in the air. Lita pulled on Kane's arm but darted out of the ring when Kane's glare came her way. With a thud Edge collided with the mat, Kane pressed his right foot into Edge's throat and watched as he pried to get free. Kane was finding sick enjoyment in his torture of Edge when a soft almost unheard sound made him release Edge and lose interest entirely. Carrie was moaning beginning to regain consciousness. Kane stood over her, watched as she moved ever so slightly. Kane glanced back at Edge and then lifted Carrie up in his arms cradling her tightly to his chest.

"Kane?" Her speech was slow and her eyes barley open. He didn't answer her, he just carried her up the ramp, secretly wishing to be able to hold her that way at anytime, wanting to be that close to her. "Did you win?" Her head leaned itself in the spot between his arm and his chest. He could see her either fall asleep or back into unconsciousness.

"I wont let'em do it again Carrie. You're safe" He carried her to the arena doctor. Before getting in the door he was spotted

"Carrie" Lizzie called, her Sidney and Janet had been searching the backstage looking for since Kane had carried her off.

"She's hurt" Kane placed her down on a medical couch and walked out.

'You big idiot don't hold her don't help her. dammit No emotions you have to have no emotions. It's the only way not to fell pain' Both of his hands rested behind his neck.

'Stupid urges. Women equals p. . .' his head snapped in the direction of the one thing on his mind stopping dead in his tracks he heard screaming and something compelled him to go to Carrie's side. "Pain" he finished aloud as he strode back to the medical office. Swinging the door open he saw Carrie sitting straight up, hyperventilating holding her chest.

"What did you do to her?" Kane forced the medical attendant into a corner.

"She's becoming aware , she's incoherent, unsure of her surroundings, she shouldn't have been moved. Perfectly normal for this situation, she'll compose herself soon I'm sure" He answered nervously.

"Carrie calm the hell down before Kane kills someone" Janet shook Carrie strongly. Kane backed away and headed to the door as frustrated as ever. He hated people and in the past week or so he had been forced to be surrounded by them at every turn.

"My head is spinning. I think I'm going to be sick" Carrie covered her mouth.

"Maybe she's pregnant" Janet shrugged.

"What?" Was the word on everyones lips.

"fucking mood swings. vomiting. Just keeping my options open here" Janet laughed at the reaction. Kane didn't close the door behind him as he walked off. 'I want her. I need her. I wont ever have her' he shook his head as he walked off a second time.

"I think Carrie looks cute. Much better then the outfit she was wearing before. . .even without the puke" Janet spouted quite proudly in how she had dressed Carrie, In a short black shirt with red corset seems, a black top with one sleeve red fishnet a red strap with silver eyelets, in place of the other.

"I look like a whore." Carrie scowled.

"It's not so bad. I mean yeah you do look like a whore. . .but a pretty whore" Sidney laughed. Carrie's embarrassment and disapproval turned to anger when she felt a hand where it didn't belong.

"Janet I am no mood get your hand off my-"

"Not me, I'm not nearly that stupid, you on the other hand" Janet scoffed at the man who dared to come up and grab at Carrie's ass.

" Matt Striker" Carrie shook her head as she tried to keep herself from doing something irrational.

"How do you do"

"Well fine till you groped me" She snapped.

"Don't take that tone with me" He straightened himself up as to seem superior.

"Or what?" Carrie scoffed.

"Simple I'll just have to teach you a lesson. Maybe take some discipline, give you a spanking"

"That tears it" Carrie attempted to slap him but Sidney had pulled her back and was dragging her away. "Sidney let go I'm serious I'm not going to let him talk to me like that." Carrie broke free from Sidney's hold only to be grabbed by Janet and Lizzie.

"Ok you can beat him up when we're not around, cause I don't want to get my asked kicked and that's where I see this confrontation going" Sidney sighed as they struggled to drag her away.

'I can't wait to get out of here' He packed up his things. With all the people and all the conflicting thoughts running through his head he was starting to feel claustrophobic he just wanted to get to his quiet empty hotel room. "Carrie?" He saw her running lick a chicken with it's head cut off weaving through the backstage traffic.

"Can't talk now, gotta run." She tried to pass him but he caught her in his arms, he lifted her a solid foot off the ground and gave her a questioning look.

"Or not. So. . .what are you up to?" She caught her breath.

"Carrie this is no time to bat eye lashes at your man crush come on. You just had to slap him didn't you?" Janet zoomed by.

"What did you get into?" Kane frowned.

"Um it's all Janet's fault, she dressed me like a whore see? And then-" Carrie said while pouting. Kane put her down and took her by the wrist to the dressing room. He handed her a pair of his sweat pants. Carrie couldn't help but laugh from the bathroom. Kane walked to a corner 'What I do?' he concluded he had done something stupid and Carrie was laughing at him. 'I hate that. I hate it when people laugh at me' He turned away from her. "There huge" Carrie pulled the sweatpants up under arms and stepped out. "How do I look?" Carrie laughed.

"like an idiot" He scoffed. He still would've been happy to walk the halls hand in hand with that very same idiot.

"oh good then it suits me" She smiled.

"Come on" He opened the door and waited for her to pass through.

"Where are we going?" she asked hesitantly. But she trusted him even if he didn't trust her and even though she barley knew him she trusted He would never steer her wrong.

"Back to the hotel. Before you slap some one else" Kane smiled just for a moment before his face returned to it's angry stoic form.

Driving in the car had been a silent and somewhat awkward ride until Carrie once again got enough confidence to try to get Kane to let her in, to not be afraid of her. If they only knew how much they saw in one another how much they wanted nothing more and no one other than the person sitting at their side. Carrie had liked Kane right from the beginning she felt safe with Kane, she liked his company and understood what others didn't about him about the perplexities of Kane that intrigued her. It didn't hurt that she found Kane horribly gorgeous no matter what others thought. But for all she liked about the Big Red monster she wasn't sure if she was going to be strong enough to brake down the walls Kane had built up around himself, the thought worried her deeply. 'Baby steps' she told herself. "Kane?" She turned to him, he didn't look at her, his eyes firmly glued on the road the night's light alumina ting his facial features.

"hmm?" . Carrie prepared herself for Kane to recoil as she leaned her head onto his shoulder. "Does your head hurt" For a moment he looked at her, his eyes though as aggressive as always had a faint glimmer of inquisitiveness and interest. 'she's teasing me' He felt her move slightly getting comfortable her hair tickling his skin her eyes looking up to him, absent of fear and disgust, just tranquility. He took a deep breath and refocused on the road.

"No. Just wanted to" She answered she saw him look back at her as if to see if she was joking. "You can trust me" she leaned over and whispered in his ear. He sped up wanting to get back to the hotel wanting to sleep so he wouldn't have to think about her, but he was kidding himself. He even saw her in his dreams.

"Maybe" he growled as they reached the parking lot.