Hey all. This new job is a lot more demanding than my old one. I don't get as many chances to write. Let me rephrase that. I don't get any chances to write. Plus there is so much to do and see in town that I am constantly busy. But I am off for the next eight days so I am going to try and get ahead in my chapters. Hope you enjoy this one.
Happy reading.
Friday afternoon
"You're awful quiet." Jayden said once they had been seated on the plane.
"I've got a lot on my mind." Dave murmured avoiding her gaze.
"Hey." She said, cupping his face and turning it towards her. "You aren't thinking about last night are you?' She asked biting her lip.
He shook his head as he reached out and squeezed her fingers. "I had a good time last night."
"Was that all it was? Just a good time?" She asked. Groaning she dragged her hands through her hair. "Listen to me. I swore I would never have another serious relationship. Now here I am questioning you're intentions."
"Hey, you mean more to me than a quick roll in the hay." He said gravely, staring into her eyes.
She sighed. "I know. Its just that I never had any intention of this happening and its all gone by so fast." She shrugged. "It wasn't supposed to happen."
"Maybe I should be the one asking if what we had last night was just a good time." He said mockingly, his eyes teasing.
"You sucked me in." She grumbled, unable to keep her lips from twitching.
"Ah that was so romantic. You think if I proposed now you'd say yes?" He asked sarcastically.
"I can't marry you." She blurted out horrified.
Dave nodded stiffly as all signs of amusement left his face. "I see." He said, hurt shadowing his eyes.
"It's not like that." She groaned in frustration. "I can't marry you. I can't marry anyone." She rubbed her hands over her face. "You don't understand."
"Yea, I guess its another one of your secrets." He muttered.
"You're one to talk about secrets. You go off with Paul this morning and then spend the rest of the day brooding. But no, you don't have any secrets." Jumping up she squeezed past him to the isle. "Excuse me." She bit off.
"Damn you Paul." He muttered as he marched after her. "Jayden let me in." He bellowed, pounding on the door to one of the rear restrooms. "Jayden!"
"Listen here sonny. I ain't having sex with you."
Dave gaped as the door was opened by a little old woman with blue hair. "Oh, um sorry wrong door." He stammered with a look of horror on his face. Whipping around he came face to face with Jayden standing in the opposite doorway with a smirk on her face.
"Hitting on old ladies now?" She asked.
Growling he grabbed her arm. "Get in there. I need to talk to you." He said pushing her back into the small room.
"Now you listen here." He began, lifting her up so that she was sitting on the sink. "I wasn't serious when I was talking about marriage. I was just goofing around. I'm not big on marriage myself." He held up his hand as she started to speak. "I can understand how you might have misunderstood and I shouldn't have reacted so strongly." He groaned and planted his hands on either side of her. "Damn I feel like a teenager." He muttered in disgust.
She smiled at him sadly. "I guess neither one of us is very good with relationships."
"So are we okay about this part?"
"About this part." She agreed.
He leaned in, gave her a small kiss.
"You know, we're in a bathroom on an airplane." She said suggestively.
"We're not done." He informed her, pulling her hands off his chest. "Listen, you've been around Steph a lot in the last couple months. Have you noticed anything strange?" He asked finally.
"Like what?" She asked sitting up straight.
"Like her getting anything in the mail that might upset her." He hedged.
"Besides some junk mail?" She inquired, her eyes filling with concern.
"She got a package today at the hospital. It was very gruesome and very personal. It really upset her."
"What? My best friend gets a threatening package and is very upset and you keep it from me? I should have gone to her." She exclaimed.
"One." He said poking her gently in the chest. "If I'm not mistaken you rally need to do this interview in order to keep your job. A job that you need and one Steph got for you. Two." He said after a slight pause. "Paul's kind of crazy about this whole thing and he doesn't like you that much…" He trailed off watching her expression.
"He thinks I did it. He thinks I sent her the doll?" She demanded.
"There was some vital information about the baby. Information that he says only you knew." He said gravely.
"What information?" She demanded jumping off the sink and planting her hands on her hips.
"A certificate with the baby's full name." He answered.
"That doesn't prove anything. We talked about it in public places. Anybody could have overheard us." She argued, her voice rising.
"Hey, I'm not the one accusing you." He said softly.
"You don't doubt me even a little?" She asked looking up at him through her lashes.
"No" He answered without hesitation.
She smiled at him in relief. "Thank you." She framed his face with her hands and gave him a light kiss on the lips. "So are you up for a little mile high action?" She asked mischievously.
He winced. "Don't you think we've been in here long enough?" Dave asked causing her to laugh.
"I suppose you've spilled enough of your secrets." She murmured, looking at him over her shoulder as she opened the door.
'Yea but you didn't' share any of yours did you?' The thought ran through his head as he followed her out of the bathroom.
Statewide Arena
John walked into the locker room to find his daughter sitting on the couch flanked by Shawn Michaels and Glen Jacobs. He studied her for any signs of distress and found only anger.
"Whatcha watching?" He asked coming to stand beside them.
Not answering him Ari flicked off the TV and sat there staring at the blank screen.
"I guess that answers that question." He murmured flopping down in a chair.
"Well bodyguard duty is over. You ever need protecting short stuff you holler." Glen said tugging on her ponytail. "Come on Shawn. Lets leave them alone." He urged the other man.
"I thought I'd stay and try to help. John's new to this stuff and…." He trailed off at the look on the bigger man's face. "What?"
"Like you know what you're doing anymore than he does." Glen said grabbing the other man's arm. "Leave so they can work this out."
"Thanks for your guard duties." John called after them. Turning he watched his daughter as the silence lengthened. "Did you believe the things he was saying?" He asked finally.
She shook her head, refusing to meet his eyes.
"So what's the matter?" John asked patiently.
"I don't want you to be mad at me." The little girl whispered hanging her head down.
"I won't be mad." He promised solemnly.
"I wanted to hit him." She announced, raising her head. Her eyes glittered with anger. "I wanted to smash his face in and make him take all the mean things back."
John shifted in his seat. "I did." He admitted.
"Did what?" Ari asked. She eyed her father in confusion.
"Smashed his face in and a few other parts as well." John answered grinning.
"Really?" She asked jumping off the sofa in excitement. "Did you make him bleed?" She asked eagerly.
"I think so, yea." John answered her, catching his daughter as she flung herself at him. He cuddled her close. "I wasn't going to let him say that kind of stuff you."
"I wish I could have stayed and watched it." She said wistfully.
"Then everybody would say I was a bad parent. I shouldn't have even told you about the fight." He admitted.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because I'm setting a bad example. I shouldn't allow you to think it was okay for me to punch him. It's wrong but damn if I know why." He growled.
"Don't cuss daddy." She admonished, looking up into his face.
"Don't boss me around." He ordered, his hands reaching for her. His fingers danced over her ribs as he began tickling her unmercifully. Laughing they tumbled onto the couch where they laid sprawled as they caught their breath.
"Stay away from him." John requested softly. 'If you see him go in the other direction. Specially if you're with one of the girls. They won't stand up to him like the elders would."
"No problem." She said wrinkling her nose. "I don't like him anyway. Did you get in trouble for smashing his face in?" She asked switching gears. "When Shawn told grandpa mark what was happening he went tearing out of here."
"Have you called him that to his face yet?" John asked amused.
"No." She answered smiling devilishly. "Did you get into trouble?" She asked again.
"Well Grandpa mark just knocked some sense into me. Literally." He said rubbing his stomach. 'But I got in real big trouble with Vince McMahon. Speaking of which." He said checking his watch. "I have to go to the principals office. Which means I need to find you a babysitter." Slinging her over his shoulder he opened the door to find Shelton leaning against the opposite wall.
"Hey man, I just wanted to make sure the kid was all right." Shelton said.
"I would say she's fine." John answered slinging the giggling girl to the floor. "In fact she needs a babysitter. Interested?"
Shelton smiled. "I think we can find something to talk about."
John hesitated at the gleam in his daughter's eyes. "I don't know if this is a good idea."
"Daddy its fine. Go." She said sweetly, giving him a big smile.
"Be good. Both of you." He warned sternly. Shaking his head he walked down the hall. "I really think that was a bad idea." Looking back he could see they already had their heads together in conspiracy.
Vince's office
Vince eyed the two young men in front of him. "How is it that you're not back for a full day and already you're causing problems?" He asked gravely.
Randy spoke up when John continued to stare mulishly ahead. "We didn't start it." He protested.
Stern eyes drilled a hole into him. "I don't believe I was talking to you." The cold voice whipped out. Vince watched as Randy slumped back in his chair. "I am very aware of what caused the scene in the cafeteria. And what ever you may think I did not call you in here to yell at you."
John looked up in surprise at these words. "I admire what you're trying to do, raising the child by yourself. It's not a very easy thing to do. I should know, my kids will tell you I was a lousy father."
He paused as he stared off in thought. "I've heard what is being said. That you have no right bringing your daughter on the road with you. I disagree. Kids are good for the company. I wish I could convince more of the staff to bring their children." He noticed the speculative look in the younger man's eyes. "I am not going soft damn it. I missed a lot of my children's lives because I was on the road. I have a grandchild on the way and I want him to be at home here."
Regaining his composure he continued. "There's gong to be a lot of strain on you, being one of the first of this….movement for lack of a better word. And I have no problem with you defending your daughter as you did today. All that I ask is that you try to do it as discreetly as possible. No public places, no cameras. We don't need to start rumors about locker room fights." He waited until John had nodded his understanding. "Good. Now get out."
"Randy, just a minute." Vince added when the younger man bounded out of his chair.
Randy slumped back into the seat with a frown on his face.
"I have been watching you carefully the past couple of weeks and what I've see had worried me. You've been disrespectful, insolent, and in some cases just plain mean." He said eyeing the young man in front of him.
Randy sighed and laid his head back. 'Great another lecture.' He thought as he stared at the ceiling.
"But that's not why you're here today." The voice broke into his thoughts.
"What?" He asked sitting up in confusion.
"What you did today took a great maturity and kindness. I saw how you protected John's daughter and got her out of harm's way. How you stood with John and made sure he got a fair fight. You're a good friend Randy."
"Could you spread the word? I don't think anyone else believe it." Randy said regaining some of his cockiness.
"You did a good thing today Randy. Now get out."
Outside the arena
"Okay, I'll come see you before I leave." Jayden asked as they got out of the car. She stopped as she studied his solemn face. "Are you still upset about the plane deal?"
"Everybody was staring at us like we were some kind of perverts." He retorted with a small smile, holding open the arena door for her. "Their whispered comments gave me a headache."
"Well we were in the bathroom for over half of the flight. What were they supposed to think?" She asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"You're laughing at me, aren't you?" He said narrowing his eyes at her.
"No." She said slowly, watching him carefully, prepared to run. "I think it's cute."
He growled low in his throat. "Don't you have work to do?" he asked shortly, his eyes betraying his laughter. He waited until she had rounded a corner before he let his face fall. "Shit!" He slapped the wall in frustration as words from their earlier conversation ran through his head. Shaking the thoughts form his mind he strode angrily down the hall.
Coming upon the locker room he slammed inside to find Mark and Randy relaxing inside. "Why is it that you finally find someone that you enjoy being with and all hell has to break loose?"
Randy raised his eyebrows at the expression on the older man's face. "I'll leave you too alone." He said, glancing at Mark as he pulled his earphones off.
"You don't have to go." Dave waved him back down.
Randy blinked in surprise but sat back down without a word.
"What happened?" Mark asked from where he was lounging in a chair. The book he had been reading lay open on his lap.
"Paul came to find me." Dave started as he paced around the room.
"We sent him because we were worried about you." Mark said with a slight reprimand in his voice.
Dave waved him off. "No he came to see me for a whole other reason." The big man said coming to a stop in front of them. "Did he tell you what happened this morning?"
"No, did something happen with Steph?" Mark asked in a low voice.
"The creep sent her a package at the hospital and she opened it before Paul could grab it."
"Is Steph all right?" Randy asked sitting forward.
Dave nodded. "It was gruesome and she was pretty freaked but he got her calmed down. He told her it was probably from you and Shelton, so if she calls to chew you out just apologize."
Randy nodded, keeping his mouth shut on any smart comments he might have made.
Dave looked at him in bewilderment for a second before slumping into a chair. "He just had to run and tell me and in doing so he implicated Jayden."
Mark groaned. "I told him not to tell you."
"Oh he was really nice about it. Didn't shove it in my face or anything. But it was there. So I asked her about it." He frowned off into the distance. "I didn't tell her everything, just today' incident. She denied knowing anything about it, but she wasn't surprised by it either. And damn it, she mentioned the fucking doll. I never gave her the specifies but she knew."