Authors Note - And here is the end of the date. This chapter didn't turn out quite how I imagined it, but I'm very pleased with it. I enjoy playing around with how the characters tick. I hope guys like this. As always, I own nothing. The lyrics are from the song 'Follow Me Home' by the Sugababes.
'Like a light into my life
I never thought that it would feel so bright, yeah
All I wanna do is hold you tight
And I'll be with you through trouble nights'
Stalking out of the restaurant, Trish imagined that if it were humanly possible to have steam billowing out of your ears, it would be happening right now, and people would mistake her for an old fashioned locomotive. Trish Stratus was livid. How dare he! How fucking dare he pass judgement on me? Of all the self-centred, socially retarded jack-offs to ever have an opinion, he was the very last one who should dare have an opinion about me, she decided.
The heels of shoes clattered like mini thunder claps as they hammered down relentless blows on the sidewalk. With both of her arms swinging like she was imitating Vince McMahon's power walk, Trish continued to boil. Cut myself off? Shut people out? The arrogance! With all her features screwed into a mask of blind hatred, Trish didn't even know Randy was there until she felt his strong grip on her arm. Spinning around to face Orton, Trish brought her left hand for the ride, smacking it hard across his face. Swinging her right hand up, she connected another slap on the opposite cheek. Finding the physical contact made her even more angry, Trish swung her left hand again, putting as much force behind it as her tiny frame could muster. Randy, blind sided by the first two shots, was more than ready for a third.
With surprising speed for someone as tall as he was, his hand shot upward, catching Trish's hand around the wrist, blocking it's path toward his reddened cheek. Eyes bulging in indignant fury, Trish tried to land a slap with her other hand, which was once more cut off at the pass by Randy's' other hand. Easily overpowering the tiny woman, Randy forced both arms behind Trish's back, in the process bringing her tiny frame against his own. With her ample chest resting on Randy's stomach, he peered down with his icy blue eyes, only to be faced with a snarling grimace of fury.
"How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are, telling me I cut people off. You arrogant son of a bitch!"
"Trish! Would you please calm down?" With Trish struggling, it was difficult for Randy to keep a firm grip on the fiery blonde.
"Take your hands off me! Randy…let…me…go!" Trish thrashed as hard as she could, but only succeeded in forcing Orton to tighten his grip around her wrists. Pain snapped like jaws into the muscles and tendons in her wrists from the vice like grip, causing her to whimper. "You're…hurting me…"
"Uh, excuse me, Little Miss Bitch Slap? I'm pretty sure you knocked a few of my teeth loose just now." Realising people were beginning to watch, Orton carefully released Trish from his grip. Staggering back, Trish clutched at her wrist, trying to rub some feeling back into that area of her arm. Noting the red marks where he had held her so tight, Randy flinched slightly.
"Trish…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" Looking into Orton's eyes, Trish expressed a fury to which words held no comparison. Turning her back to him, Trish took off into a full speed sprint. Heels or no heels, she was getting as far away from Randy Orton as her legs would carry her. Swearing, Randy took into a run after Trish. This was not the way in which he had envisaged the evening going.
Dashing across the road, Trish narrowly avoided several honking cars as she crossed to the other side of the street, running along the beach front with the sea on her right. Her feet thundered on the pavement as she crashed through groups of people, a blur of pink against the dark backdrop of the sleeping ocean.
And she didn't know why. Why was she running? From Randy Orton? Or from what he had said. Don't be so stupid! He's just talking shit! Came the angry voice from inside her head. Trish liked that voice better. It was what gave her all that fire, all that passion to be what she had become. It validated her.
Using it to focus herself, Trish could feel the hatred she felt for Randy spreading to her thighs and calf muscles, pushing her faster than she had ever run before. Fatigue was not an option. Forced past her usual limits, Trish threw herself with such velocity, she thought she would never stop, her breath coming in short gasps from her heaving chest. She just needed this unbridled rage out of her body. It was all consuming, poising her thoughts.
"Trish!…Trish would you please just stop…Trish!"
Randy was sprinting hard behind Trish. She had almost given him the slip when she crossed the road, making his heart leap to his throat at how close one car had come to hitting her. What they must have looked like to everyone else, didn't bare thinking about.
Clearly, Trish had no intention of stopping. Her stubborn refusal ignited anger in Randy. If she didn't want to stop, then he would very well make her. Being larger, Randy easily caught up to Trish. Without a second thought, Randy threw himself forward into a tackle, crashing into the back of Trish, his arms grasping around her waist as he pushed her completely off her feet.
To Trish, the shock of suddenly being taken into the air caused her to squeal. Randy's momentum carried himself and Trish over the edge of the sidewalk, dropping to the pitch black sandy dunes on the other side.
Wrapping his arms snugly around Trish, Randy twisted their bodies in mid-air, so that Randy would land on his back, shielding Trish with his own form. Trish tucked her head against Randy's chest, expecting a harsh impact.
Randy's shoulder blades connected first, with an almighty thud as he hit the sand. Flames of pain burnt into his weaker shoulder. This was going to come back to bight him the ass, he knew it already. Despite his best intentions, the pair tumbled down over the sand, rolling over and on top of each other as they twisted down the bank.
Finally skidding to a halt, Trish was flat on her back, with Randy laying on top of her form. Her dress had ridden up to the very tops of her legs, exposing the thighs to the cool night air. Automatically, Randy pushed himself onto elbows, taking his weight off the Canadian.
'Sometimes life it drags you down
And plays you like a fool
Makes you feel so empty sometimes
It can be so cruel, ooh yeah'
"Why…were…you…running?" Randy managed, his voice coming out in strained pants and gasps.
"Why…were…you…chasing….me?" Came Trish's response, equally laboured. Randy looked down at Trish with a curiosity which she didn't like. Raising both hands, she pushed at Orton's chest, who rolled back onto his shoulders next to lay next to her.
"This…is stupid…" Trish breathed, getting into a seated position., "you just…tackled me for god's sake." Turning to face Trish, Randy broke into laughter at the absurdity of the situation.
"Couldn't…let…you…walk…alone." Was his huffed answer.
"Oh don't start with the chivalrous crap Randy. We both know you don't care about my safety." Trish uttered, shaking her head, sending a dust storm of sand everywhere.
"Can we please, just call a truce until we're back at the hotel? This is Los Angeles, and no matter what you think my intentions may be, I'm not letting you walk back, by yourself to the hotel, 11.30 at night, alright?"
"Fine. You can follow me home if you insist." Trish smiled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'll walk you home." Randy corrected her, extending his hand to Trish, who accepted it, helping her get to her feet.
"Whatever. You are so paying for the dry cleaning." Trish pointed out, dusting down her once beautiful pink dress.
'So follow me home
You'll never be lost
Wherever the storm
Whatever the cause
I won't walk away
I'll stand by your side
I'm here for you
The rest of our lives'
Unsteadily, the pair made their way back up the sand bank, getting back to the road. To begin with, the pair walked in silence. Despite their truce, neither seemed to want to talk to the other. Randy found it very uncomfortable. Truthfully, he didn't know why he had gone to so much trouble, but Trish's anger seemed to bother him more than he'd care to admit.
"I'm sorry." Randy admitted.
"For what?" Trish replied.
"For what happened in the restaurant."
"Randy," Trish began, "for someone who claims to feel nothing, you seem to be expressing guilt here."
"No Trish, you misunderstand. It doesn't bother me that you're upset with what I said. it's the truth. I'm just sorry that you didn't get where I was coming from. I guess I overestimated you." Randy admitted, shoving his hands into the pocket of his pants.
Feeling drained more than anything, Trish didn't flip out the way she expected she would. Wrapping her arms around her slender frame, she turned to look at Randy.
"You know Randy. You have brief, shining moments where I actually start to think you can't be the one dimensional arrogant little shit I think you are. Then, you play that stupid 'Legend Killer' crap and proceed to take a verbal shit out of your mouth. For once in your life, could you please just be Randy Orton? There aren't any cameras around here, you don't to play up for anyone." Trish shook her head, wondering if there any point in talking to Randy. He didn't seem to take on board anything of what she said.
"Trish, you just don't get me do you? Have you ever thought that maybe I'm not playing up like you think? Maybe there is no difference between Randy Orton and the Legend Killer. They're one and the same person." Randy stated, challenging Trish with a though of his own.
Scoffing audibly, Trish turned back to face the direction in which she was moving. Shivering slightly in the breeze, Trish tightened her grip around herself. This movement didn't escape Randy's notice, who removed his jacket, draping it around Trish's shoulders. With her mouth dropping open in shock, Trish couldn't help but giggle, despite her annoyance at what Orton was doing.
"Just what do you think you are doing Randy?" Trish tone held real amusement.
"You're cold." The reply was simple. And from anyone else, Trish would have accepted it. But she wouldn't give in that easily.
"Yes. But that wasn't my question. Why did you give me your jacket?" Trish pushed.
"God Trish, you have such a way of analysing every little thing. Don't you ever take things at face value? If bothers you that much, I'll take the fucking thing back." Randy scowled. In response, Trish lifted her arms, sliding them through the sleeves. She looked hilarious in the oversized jacket, but at least she was warm.
"I'm sorry. Its just, its you Randy. If anyone else had given me their jacket I wouldn't have given it a second though. But this you we're talking about here. You don't do nice things, unless you're getting something out of it."
"And I will baby girl. I'll enjoy taking that back off you when we get back to the hotel." Randy grinned at Trish, raising his eyebrow with more than a hint of suggestion. Rolling her eyes, Trish continued to face where she was going.
"You're a strange cookie Randy Orton. You claim to not feel anything for anyone, yet you give me your jacket because I'm cold. Its like you're a sleaze with manners. That, or you're much more manipulative than I thought." Trish smiled back at Randy, who had suddenly taken a serious expression.
"What would you like me to do here Trish? Profess my love for you, tell you how much I want you, and want to be with you? It's not going to happen. I'm not that guy. Love is bullshit. The best I can do is say I want to fuck you so hard you loose the use of your legs. I want you because you don't want me. Its got fuck all to do with feelings and shit. Think of it as a challenge. I want you in bed." Randy admitted, shoving his hands back into his pockets.
Trish rolled her eyes even more. She just couldn't figure this whole thing out. Part of her hated Randy more than anything she had hated in her life, more so when he spouted such derogatory drivel. She felt like she should hate him more, for all the girls that he had broken over his tenure in the WWE.
And yet, something inside her found him so intriguing. He was deeper than she had first given him credit for. Of course, he could have just taken her back to his room for sex. But he hadn't. He had wanted to get to know her, and even shown some signs of being an ordinary guy.
But every time she got close, every time he seemed to open up even slightly, or that she got somewhere into the depth of his character, he automatically became the 'Legend Killer' again, shutting her down and pissing her off. Either he was as cold as he claimed to be, or he was manipulative on a Machiavellian scale she hadn't even considered. Either way, he was getting the reactions he wanted from her. Every god damn time.
When you're feeling all alone
Hear the words that I'm singing to you, oh
Like a seed that has been sown
As you grow, I will protect you, yeah, yeah
"Trish?" He glanced across at her.
"Did you mean what you said to me in the restaurant, about not wanting to be close to anyone?" Trish didn't know why she was bringing this up. Chocking it up to morbid curiosity, she waited for her response.
"Yeah. Every word." Randy thought honesty was the best way to go, even if meant another slap.
"You're wrong Randy. I don't shut people out, I just don't put myself in situations where I can easily be hurt. That's my reasoning for keeping emotionally distant from people. What's your excuse? Why is that you just don't care about anything?" Trish looked into Randy's eyes, searching for some glint of humanity. Randy looked away, focusing back on the path ahead of them.
"Ok, answer me this Randy. Have you ever been in love with someone? Really? And I don't mean your penchant for the female of the species, I'm talking total, all consuming love, the kind everyone dreams about having? The kind that last forever, even after you're gone…well?"
Randy stopped mid step, turning to Trish. His face betrayed his thoughts. Feeling like she was getting somewhere, Trish leaned a little closer, desperately seeking an answer.
"We're here." Randy finally uttered.
Looking up, Trish recognised the front of the hotel they were both staying at. Mentally kicking herself, she begrudgingly led the way into the grand lobby, heading for the nearest elevator. Following her into the car, Randy stood in stony faced silence as they rode upwards towards Trish's floor.
'Baby all I'm trying to say
Is that my heart is here to hold you
I'm never far away
Take my hand so I can feel you
I've searched and I have found
I'll never let you down
We will all stand on solid ground
No matter what will always be around
So follow me home'
Reaching her floor, Trish stepped out of the car, heading along the corridor to her room door. Randy had followed her, and now stood behind her as she inserted the key card into the door. Bleeping as it unlocked, Trish turned back to Randy, who gave a seductive smile to Trish.
"In answer to your question Trish, the answer is no. I don't believe in love. Except the physical kind. Speaking of which, I hope you're still fired up baby girl, cos I'm dying for you to make a believer out of me." Randy gently licked his bottom lip, leaning his head closer to Trish. Smiling, Trish tilted her own head up, softly parting her own lips. Just as they were about to make contact, Trish giggled.
"Thank you for tonight Randy. Its really been something…"
"It ain't over yet baby. You're going to love what comes next. It'll be you." Randy smiled devilishly, going for the kiss again. Reaching up her hand, Trish placed it on Randy's lips. Pulling back, his icy blue eyes clouded with confusion.
"This is where I say goodnight Randy." Trish smiled.
"What are you talking about? I won the bet remember, and the deal was I got you for -…"
"…the night. Which you did." Trish finished for him.
"What are you talking about girl? It's only," Randy checked his watch, "Twelve minutes past twelve."
"A.M Randy. As in the early morning. Its now technically Wednesday. Our deal was for an entire night. You picked Tuesday. That night ended twelve minutes ago." Trish giggled.
"Aw come on Trish! You knew what I meant when I said the night." Randy whined, obviously frustrated at being out-played by Trish.
"Sorry Randy. But you didn't say anything about the morning. Maybe next time? Goodnight." Turning her back to Orton, Trish giggled as she slipped inside her hotel room, shutting the door in the face of the gob smacked Legend Killer. Slowly, his open mouthed stare melted into a broad smile. Shaking his head, Randy laughed softly, before turning and heading towards the elevator and his own room.
"Damn she's good."
"So follow me home
You'll never be lost
Wherever the storm
Whatever the cause
I won't walk away
I'll stand by your side
I'm here for you
The rest of our lives"