Damaged Goods

Ch7. Secrets Told Bridges burned.

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

Carrie had jogged ahead to the dressing room playing a game of hide and seek with Kane, even though he had no clue he was playing. Opening the door she noticed a folded piece of paper lying out of place in the door way. Picking it up she carefully unfolded it. She cringed in uneasiness when she read the seven words written in the center of the page.

Secrets will be told

Bridges burned.

She studied each word individually, trying to read between the lines, and understand the ominous note to it's full extent. "What's that?" Kane looked down to see her hands tightly clench a nearly blank piece of paper.

"Um" She panicked spinning around to see his confused face. Something told her not to share the daunting message. So in a last second decision she stuffed the paper in her mouth and did her best to lock away the stiff parchment behind her teeth. "Nofing" she mumbled.

"Really?" He gave a weak laugh his hand moved to her face, but she adamantly clamped down harder on her jaw. Nodding innocently as though she didn't have a face full of paper. "If you're so hungry there's a vending machine down the hall" He watched as she removed the paper and quickly shoved it in her pocket, he decided not to press the issue assuming it was some new quirk of hers. "Coming to my match?" He asked settling down in a chair across from her.

"Is it before or after my-" She started, she remembered that Kane hadn't wanted her at his last match, but since it was her job Carrie refused to sit idly by. But this time he had asked her, either he was getting used to her or being polite, or a mix of both.

"Before" He grumbled, not looking forward to the meeting in the slightest any talk of it made him sour.

"Then you don't have a choice" Carrie nodded with a laugh she went over and sat on his lap and looked up at him, the back of her head wedged against his chest. "I bet you can't wait to get rid of me" she grinned even though inside the thought pulled at her.

"Yes and no" He shrugged looking down at her playful demeanor it made his cold temperament warm he wrapped his arms around her and with a smile he reached into her pocket and took out her safeguarded note.

"Kane give it back" She snatched at it for it to be pulled just out of reach.

"Or what?" He smirked enjoying the little game

"Or I'll never talk to you ever again" Carrie reached for it again and this time was successful in her venture, though almost falling off the chair in the process. Kane held her tighter when she began to loose her balance.

"You plan to talk to me? Even after we sign the contract?" He waited patiently for her answer, no emotions showing through.

"I wont talk to someone who wont talk back" She gave a flexible answer. Kane nodded knowing Carrie would not be driven away just by a contract. 'Why are we signing it in the first place I want her to stay close to me. She still wants to be a wrestler. . .I'd be vulnerable, people would know I cared, that she's important to me' Kane sighed unable to overcome the need for no outward weakness."Who's your match against?" Carrie broke the building silence, it was the last thing she needed a quiet atmosphere to think, to lament over what the note passer was planning.

"Val Venis" Kane shrugged. "It's coming up soon" He sat them both up and picked his duffel bag up off the floor.

"Ok well I'll let you get changed" Carrie nodded heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" He questioned as the door closed.

"To find Lizzie" Carrie popped her head back in. "And the other goons. Don't find us we'll find you" She winked.

"Don't they ever take a day off?" Kane chuckled.

"Do you?" Carrie didn't wait for an answer she scampered down the hall.

'I'm going to stay by the door, or by a group. Somewhere safe' She just kept moving trying to find a place where she could rest easy. She took the slightly moist note out of her pocket and read it again.

Secrets will be told

Bridges burned.

"whatcha readin?" Lizzie draped over Carrie's shoulder.

"Love notes from Kane?" Janet cooed. Sidney snatched the note away and quickly read it over.

Secrets will be told

Bridges burned.

"He's got some choice of words" He sneered.

"Doesn't exactly come of as a poet" Janet chuckled "Maybe the tortured lonely type but not enough angst for poetry" She assessed.

"Carrie?" Sidney saw the stressed look on her face. "Is everything ok?" He placed a hand on her shoulder guiding her away from their two friends, she winced away from his touch, lost in thought he had startled her.

"I. . .I'm worried" She admitted shamefully.

"Did Kane do something" Lizzie refused to be left out of the conversation.
"N-"

"Cause I'll beat him up for you" Janet didn't fully grasp the seriousness of it all, no one did not even Carrie.

"Yes almost as effective as saying We'll through frozen pop tarts at him" Sidney rolled his eyes.

"Are you comparing me to frozen pocket pastries?" Janet huffed.

"N. . .Yeah pretty much" He shrugged.

"I never" She sneered "What flavor" She questioned her sneer molding into a smirk.

"The other Kane left me this note" Carrie sighed taking it back from Sidney and reburying it in her pocket. "The impostor" She looked over her shoulder to make sure he wasn't near. "I'm worried about what he'll do" She looked up at her friends trying to regain composure, she wouldn't let fear overcome her.

"Don't worry Carrie you'll be fine" Sidney nodded noticing the more calmed and confident look on Carrie's face. "Promise" He assured.

"Not me I'm worried about" She she shook her head. "He might hurt Kane" She frowned she cared immensity for a man she'd only met weeks ago.

"What about hurting Kane?" He loomed over her.

"Ahh" Carrie spun around at the sound of his muffled voice. Due to her surprise Carrie couldn't regain balance and fell on her backside.

"I don't care what your beef with Kane is, leave Carrie out of it" Sidney stepped in front of Carrie, who slowly made it back to her feet, Sidney no clue how he planned to defend her.

"I would" the impostor pushed Sidney aside. "But your stupid friend had to get involved with him." with an unkind pull at her arm she collided with his chest. "You go and slut your way into this mess." He sneered. Carrie's stomach sank, his words piercing her confidence.

"Shut up" Janet advanced.

"Yeah pretty? or what? Where's your boyfriend now Carrie? Not saving you? Maybe he just isn't the knight in shinning armor type. Most girls don't figure out they can't do better then a oaf, good for you." He turned pinning her against the wall. "Let's see if your smart enough to know when to give in. I have a deal I'd like to strike with you. I want you to cut your loses and turn on Kane, for your own good" The pressure holding her grew making her wince in pain. Her friends were speechless, Carrie had been hurt before, her life was less then easy but they had never witnessed it in front of their own eyes and be helpless to do anything. Lizzie kicked Carrie's captor behind the knee. He spun around and inched towards her.

"Leave us alone" Carrie punched him in the back of the neck.

"Run!" Sidney exclaimed as they jolted down the halls.

"Carrie slow down he didn't chase us" Lizzie called after Carrie.

She wouldn't stop, she couldn't, her mind wouldn't let her. 'He wanted to use me against Kane. I gave him a weakness to exploit. This is all my fault' She could feel tears well up, guilt washing over her.

"Carrie!" a familiar voice called her. "My match is next" Kane watched as she passed him. "Carrie?" He followed her, finally catching up with her when she ran out of breath on the borderline of hyperventilating from stress. "Carrie calm down" He cupped her face in his hand. She slowly regained normality and then pulled away from Kane's touch.

"Your match is up next?" her eyes were frantic and troubled. He nodded slightly but the match was in the back of his mind.

"Carrie what-"

"I'm fine come on" She walked towards the curtain.

"You're not fine" He took hold of her wrist not allowing her to go any further. "You've been acting weird all night. Now you're scared out of your mind . . .he found you again" He sighed as he recognized the problem. 'He's a coward if he wants a fight with me I'll give it to him but none of this has anything to do with her'

"I don't want to talk about it now come on your match is-" She tugged against his hold but he didn't let her go.

"We'll get there. Carrie you never want to talk about it. How can I help you if-"

"I don't want your help" She snapped hating the coldness of her voice, hating the impostor for making her feel that way, hating her self for causing the hurt look in Kane's face.

"Come on" he let go of her and walked passed making his way to the curtain. 'She blames me' He sneered. 'It's all my fault, she's safer without me' he gritted his teeth.

"Kane I-" She saw him stop in his tracks and turn to her. "I'm sorry" she lowered her head. If only they knew how each of them took full responsibility for the torment they were being put through. Kane didn't say anything, just resumed his walk Carrie walked slowly behind him. The music bellowed out the speakers. 'This is the last time I'll be walking out with him' She glanced over to Kane who had a very focused angry look across his face. "Go get em" She put on her best smile and pated him on the back.

"Carrie I..." He let out a deep sigh 'forget it what was I thinking that I'd ever have a happy ending' he shook his head and climbed over the rope ready to take out his frustration. Carrie frowned she hadn't meant to hurt his feelings as far as she knew Kane had minimal feelings towards her as it was. 'Why is he taking it so hard. We're right back where we started. Well I guess it's for the best it will make it that much easier for us to part ways. So I wont cause him any more trouble' She leaned her chin on the bottom rope watching Kane destroy Venis. The match was short and less then sweet it was bitter and anger filled Kane hovered over Vienis with a demented sense of gratification only snapping out of his enjoyment to the sound of his old music. "Carrie" He looked out of the ring to see her standing in front of the ramp her face pale but her demeanor aggressive and confident she was tired of being scared. He started to get out of the ring to stand beside her when a video started, Tori Lita, Mrs. McMahon, Chyna, Lillian images of Kane inflicting harm on an assortment of female wrestlers. Out of context it seemed like Kane was an abusive bastard but there were back stories to each out lash. Kane cringed in disgust and self loathing as the clips emitted through the arena. 'I'm a monster' he looked over at Carrie expect distaste and disbelief but she just gave a blank stare watching each act unfold. Kane stepped out of the ring snarling, fuming 'This monster will unleash hell on him' He started up the ramp. "Come out" He growled. The movie ended and frozen on the screen was an ominous statement.

You're next

Secrets will be told

Bridges burned.

"Carrie I wouldn't" He turned to her still empty face like she was waiting for more. "They were. . ." he pulled a clenched fist to his forehead when the words didn't come.

"They hurt you Kane." She stood next to him, her arms tight at her sides. "I wont hurt you. I expect the same in return" She put on a slight smile. "People are beginning to stare maybe we should take our leave" She walked up the ramp with an air of cautiousness taking a deep breath with each step. A hand on her shoulder he leaned his head down to whisper in her ear.

"I'd never hurt you. . .even if you hurt me" He admitted what he vowed to keep hidden he would never hurt Carrie, not ever again.

"You'll never have to put that to the test" Once they were passed the curtain she gave him a hearty hug but pulled away slowly.

"What?" He longed for her to return to her spot snugged in at his side.

"I'm beat before anything else I'm going to go take a nap" She shrugged. 'Keep distance between us if I'm the one he's after tonight. Does he think I'm weak enough to turn on the man that I l. Dear god I'm. . .I'm falling in love with Kane' The though scared her as much as it warmed her heart to admit it, "I'll meat you out in the ring for the whole signing shenanigans" She started to sprint off.

"I really wont hurt you. Promise" Her sudden need to get out of sight made him frown the stupid video had rattled her and in an hours time she would be fleeing from him all together.

"Yeah I. . .I uh know" She nearly tripped over her own feet as she turned a corner.

"Stay in my room. Stay safe from. . .everything" He sighed giving up all hope of calming her.

"Keep yourself safe. Alright?" She called back at him.

"Carrie you run me ragged" He shook his head as he walked down the halls.

"Why did we have to do this in the ring?" Kane sneered at Mr. McMahon who stood smugly in the ring.

"What starts here ends here" he answered.

"Fine" He spat waiting for Carrie's music. 'I'll show her I care. That I wont hurt her I wont sign the papers, I have to make her understand before I let her go'

"Where is your lady?" Edge questioned from his corner taking a brake from publicly fondling Lita.

"Maybe she wants to stay with him, is refusing to sign the papers" Lita offered optimistically. "Carrie can be a stubborn bitch if she wants to be" She smirked.

"Don't call her that" Kane snarled at Lita taking an angry step towards her. 'Carrie, you have to prove it to her. Attacking Lita for her smart mouth wont do anything'

"Well she better get her ass out here soon or she wont have a choice in the matter" Mr. McMahon looked down at his watch. Kane just shrugged them all off his heart thumping waiting to tell her that he wasn't ready for her to run from him. Just then the screen lit up , Kane recognized the room that was being filmed, it was his. He couldn't breath 'Carrie, I told her to stay there. Who's filming this, where is she?' His eyes scanned the room till he saw her sleeping form, she seemed unharmed. "What's going on?" He barked at the other inhabitants of the ring but they looked as confused as him.

"Kane" A Voice called to him from his room, it wasn't Carrie. He started to charge out of the ring and up the ramp when it spoke again. "Don't leave, you'll miss the show" and the camera panned away from Carrie and focused on the masked face that Kane hated because it was his own. Kane stood in place though all his muscles ached to run to Carrie's aid to beat that man out of her presence. The camera moved again running over the rug that was soaked in some places. Kane couldn't move, he yelled at himself both aloud and in his mind but his feet would not give way. The camera was set down facing the door you could see a large pair of boots walk out, before the door shut the man squatted down into view a lit match in hand and "Secrets told bridges burned. She trusted you. And look where it got her" without another word he dropped the match and closed the door, a small fire gathering as the lock clicked.

A/N Somewhat confusing but I think I got my point relayed. . .I hope. Well what do you think?

Sarah