CH 20

Mark could tell Lisa was feeling bad for having to hit Paul. Mark knew she had done it for him. As soon as they went backstage, Mark put his arm around her caressing her shoulder.

"You didn't have to do that," Mark said to her.

"Yes I did," Lisa frowned feeling like she had sunk to Paul's level.

"I'm going to McMahon now. How dare Paul pull a stunt like that? I wasn't prepared for an ambush," Glen was irate ranting and raving while John tried to calm him down.

"You know Vince won't do a damn thing," John looked at Mark who nodded in agreement. "I think Paul got ambushed too and his bruised ego will be enough of a punishment for now."

"Glen, we will take care of Paul later," Mark motioned at Lisa being very quiet lost in her own thoughts. "I think we should get back to the hotel."

"I'm requesting a match against Paul. I don't give a shit that he isn't cleared yet," Glen stomped off.

"I'm going with him to make sure he doesn't say anything to get fired," John kissed Lisa's cheek. "I will check on you later sis."

"Good night John," she half smiled hugging him.

"Hey snap out of it," Mark clicked his fingers in front of her.

"I just need to get out of here," Lisa shook her head.

"Ok, let's change and go for a ride," Mark was worried about her. He wasn't used to her being so quiet and distant. When they got to women's locker room Lisa saw the note taped on the door with her name. She read it before showing it to Mark.

"I don't want to spend my night with a bitch that attacks me from behind. I'll see you in Connecticut love Paul," Mark read it out loud making Lisa cringe.

"I'm as bad as him now," Lisa looked down at the floor.

"No you're not," Mark grabbed her chin making her look at him.

"I didn't think what I was doing. I just," she paused as Mark waited for her to finish.

"You just what?"

"I didn't want you to get hurt. All I cared about was you at that moment," she said softly staring into his eyes. Mark saw tears glistening in her eyes knowing her heart had taken her over in that ring. Mark didn't know what to say he leaned down lightly brushing his lips against hers kissing her lightly. Electricity shot through her body as she kissed him back.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that," he broke their kiss seeing a tear running down her cheek. "I have to go." Mark walked away hitting himself in the head. How could I have done that damn it she isn't my girl and taking advantage of her like that when she is upset I'm a jackass, Mark was mad at himself as he stormed into his locker room slamming the door. Lisa hadn't moved from the spot running her fingers over her lips. His kiss had felt incredible like nothing she felt before. He had surprised and stunned her with the kiss but she wasn't mad. He left because he thinks I'm mad at him, she thought coming out of her trance heading down to his locker room. Her heart ached when she opened the door finding him gone. Lisa ran through the halls looking for him till she ran into John and Glen.

"Have you two seen Mark?" Lisa asked them.

"We just saw him leave. He looked upset. Did you two have a fight?" Glen saw she had been crying.

"No, I have to find him," Lisa hoped he was going to the hotel.

"We are going back to the hotel. You want a lift?" Glen asked her as she shook her head yes.

"Are you ok sis?" John touched her shoulder.

"I will be once I talk to Mark," she said hoping she would find Mark.


Christina was returning to the hotel after a night walk with Kelly when she saw Mark rush through the lobby looking distracted and upset. She pushed the stroller faster catching up with him at the elevator.

"Mark, is everything ok?" Christina tapped his shoulder.

"Yes, just a rough night," Mark tried to smile at her.

"What happened?" Christina pushed the button for her floor.

"Paul caused some problems at work," Mark hesitated for a moment. "I kissed your sister."

"What?" Christina stared at him.

"I have been fighting a battle within myself since I met her to not kiss her and tonight I didn't even think I just did it," Mark deeply sighed.

"Did she get mad? Is that why you're upset?" Christina was confused she knew Lisa cared about Mark.

"I didn't give her the chance to say anything I took off," Mark stared at her.

"Mark, that was the wrong thing to do. You just don't kiss a girl than walk off," Christina smiled at him.

"I know. I don't want to screw things up with Lisa. This is a tough situation she is with Paul and I'm in love with her," Mark said without thinking.

"You love her?" Christina was happy for her sister.

"Damn it I do," Mark looked at the floor. "I wish I could find a way for her to be free of Paul once and for all. I understand her fears. I just don't know how patient I can be. I need her in my life. I'm sorry for rambling. Have a good night Christina." Mark smiled at her before leaving the elevator on his floor. Christina leaned against the elevator wall feeling guilt. She had the power to make Lisa leave Paul forever but she was too afraid to tell her secret.


John was surprised watching his sister sitting quietly in the back seat letting tears occasionally trickle down her cheeks. He has seen her go through many break ups with Paul and her breakup with Adam. She was upset with all the breakups but he had never seen her like this. It was clear Mark had touched a place in heart she had never let anyone touch before.

"Can you tell us what happened?" John turned in the front seat.

"He kissed me than apologized," Lisa deeply sighed. "I was such a fool I didn't say anything I just let him leave."

"You were taken by surprise," John smiled at her.

"Complete surprise but a good surprise," Lisa looked out the window. "It made me realize something very important."

"What is that?" Glen asked looking at her in the rearview mirror.

"My heart belongs to Mark," she said it softly but Glen and John both heard it. They shared a smile. "I understand he doesn't want to be with me right now. Why can't I shake this fear I have about leaving Paul."

"Paul has made you this way. Every time you leave him he goes directly for those you love. Last time it was mom, the time before it was me and Christina," John said seeing the pain creeping into Lisa's eyes. "You can't stay with Paul out of fear."

"When we go to Connecticut I'm going to find what Paul has on Vince that will relieve the risk of him doing anymore of these storyline changes," Lisa ran her fingers down the window. "Then I will deal with his other threats. I won't let Paul hurt anyone I love anymore."

"Don't try to do this all on your own," John warned her. "I'm more than willing to help."

"I'll help too," Glen spoke up biting his lip for a minute. "Lisa, I hate to bring this up but did Paul and Christina ever have an altercation?"

"Not that I know of," Lisa shrugged her shoulders looking at John.

"Only thing I know of is he called her a few time after Lisa broke up with him harassing her till she changed her number," John looked at Glen.

"That was before Paul helped Christina get her business loans," Lisa sighed. "Now she has no choice but to deal with him. That was a terrible mistake to let him help her."

"Wait a minute, you tried to stop her from taking the deal from him," John remembered how Lisa tried over and over to convince Christina there was another way to get her hotel started without Paul's help. "Shit I even tried to stop her from signing on the dotted line."

"Glen, what is bothering you?" Lisa sat up resting her hand on the back of his seat.

"I just feel like she is hiding something from me," Glen had to say what was on his mind before it drove him crazy. "I try to get her to open up and she just shuts me down."

"I know that feeling," John frowned. "Christina is like that with me too. She doesn't want to talk about what truly is on her mind. She doesn't even talk to you anymore does she?" John looked at Lisa.

"We don't talk like before. For the last two years we have been growing further apart. I just keep telling myself it's the distance," Lisa said as John smiled at her trying to cheer her up.

"It probably just is that," John rested his hand on hers.

"Glen, I will try to talk to Christina for you," Lisa hoped Christina would open up to her.

"Thanks," Glen turned slightly giving her a smile. "If you need help getting through to Mark just let me know."

"I will," Lisa felt her nerves bundling up as the pulled into the hotel. "I hope he will talk to me."

"I'm sure he will," John patted her hand. Lisa tried to smile hoping John was right. She didn't know what she would do if Mark refused to talk to her. As they entered the lobby, Lisa went to the front desk to check in and ask what room Mark was in. She was surprised when the clerk gave her a message after checking in. John and Glen watched as she opened up and her face filled with surprise.

"What's wrong?" John asked her as she handed him the message looking at Glen.

"Glen, I'm sorry I don't know why she did this. Christina has gone back to Jersey," Lisa hated seeing the sadness fill Glen's eyes as she told him.

"Did she say why?" Glen asked as John handed him the message simply saying she had to go back immediately for something work related.

"She probably left you a message too," John said getting his room key. Glen nodded asking the clerk for any messages. The clerk checked shaking his head no making Glen fill with dread.

"What the hell did I do to her?" Glen hit the desk with his hand scaring the clerk. Lisa grabbed his hand making him look at her.

"Glen, you didn't do anything. I promise you I will find out what is going on. Please don't give up on my sister yet," Lisa tried to reassure him.

"I think she already gave up on me," Glen sighed in frustration. Lisa looked at John not sure what to do.

"Come on buddy, let's go have a drink," John patted Glen's shoulder. "Women do nutty things sometimes Christina will probably call you tonight or tomorrow. I think you need a big hug to cheer you up. I'm not the hugging type but I'm sure my sis won't mind."

"I'm sorry Glen I wish I could explain Christina's action," Lisa hugged him. Glen hugged her back not understanding how Christina and Lisa could be so different. He knew Lisa would never disappear without trying to let Mark what was going on.

"You know you and your sister are like night and day," Glen let her go staring into her eyes. "I haven't known you that long but you wouldn't do anything like this would you?"

"Glen, I wouldn't but Christina and I have always been different," Lisa knew there was no excuse for her sister's actions.

"That is the god honest truth," John broadly smiled. "I've known them both for a long time and there are times I can't believe they are sisters. I know you hate it when I say this but Christina has been secretive and distant for awhile now. Think about this whole mess with Kelly's father no one has ever met him but she swears he is involved in Kelly's life."

"John, I'm not going to rehash this now with you," Lisa wasn't in the mood to listen to John's theories about Kelly's father. "Don't make Christina out for a bad person because she isn't. She is just going through a rough time and doesn't want anyone helps."

"Whatever," John sounded annoyed. He hated when Lisa defended Christina's bizarre behavior. "Glen, want to have a drink?"

"Sure," Glen looked at Lisa. "You better go talk to Mark."

"Have a good night and I will call Christina first thing in the morning," Lisa smiled at the two men before hugging John.

"Don't you dare bad mouth Christina anymore around him tonight," Lisa whispered in John's ear.

"I promise I won't," John kissed her cheek. "Good luck with Mark."

"Thanks. Good night guys," Lisa waved goodbye going to the elevator trying to forget about Christina leaving. Her thoughts all went to Mark wondering what would happen between them.