After breakfast, and a small argument over who would pay for the meal, Scott winning out of course, Scott leads me out to his car and helps me in, still chuckling over my somewhat jealous behavior when the waitress had slipped her phone number not so discretely into the front pocket of his blue jeans. I still couldn't understand just why it had bothered me so much, but Scott sure seemed to because those damned brown eyes just wouldn't stop twinkling. I sigh and grumble something about insufferable, egotistical, giants as I get into the car and he shuts the door behind me, his deep baritone laugh ringing out as he slips into the drivers side. "You, Baby Doll, are too sweet for your own good, just admit it, you're jealous." I huff and try not to grin as he wiggles his eyebrows at me before heading to the arena to do the photoshoot. I was thankful that it was an off day and no one was in the arena except a few production staff and a handful of wrestlers waiting to do photoshoots with some of the other photographers, that meant less people around giving me the curious looks and the whispered words I kept hearing from all the women about why I shouldn't be there. I snap out of my thoughts as I hear the car door open and look up to see Kevin Nash opening the car door for me. "Hey sweetness, you're late. Not a surprise when you're hanging out with this riff raff." He laughs and slaps Scott on the back as Scott walks around and grabs my camera bag out of the car. "Shove it, blondie, and let the girl through so she can get to work." Scott says with a laugh as he helps me from the car.
I smile nervously at them both as we walk into the arena and then lead me to the room that's been set up for the photos. I smile up at Scott as he opens the door for me, and I walk in to see a standard set up, black background and various props set around. I survey everything and shake my head, looking over the list of shots that the higher ups left for me to do. I wad up the list and toss it in the trash can. "You boys don't mind if I wing it, a little do you?" I smile shyly and start unpacking my gear, looking around at everything I could use. Finally getting an idea, I grab three cans of black spray paint and throw a solid white sheet onto the wall, securing it with push pins. All three men lean back against the other wall, watching as I bustle around, completely in my own world as ideas run through my head. Finally done with the wall, I push a few speakers and metal chairs over against it and step back, surveying the scene. "That'll do for now. Now you," I point at Scott and motion him over to me and hand him a can of spray paint. "You take the right side of the wall and spray an "N"." I step back and grab my camera, quickly snapping pictures as his strong hands grip the can, shooting various angles as he begins to spray the letter on the wall, making sure I get a few close up shots as well, his dark hair slicked back and held back in a pony tail as he works. Once he's finished, he turns and gives a wicked grin holding the empty can up, the large black letter behind him, shining with the light. I smile and snap what I know will be the perfect shot, then continue with the other guys. Having them each do the same thing and snapping individual pictures as they spray the wall, marking it with what would become the infamous "nWo" logo. As Nash begins spraying the "O", I grab his arm and shake his head and then jump up onto one of the speaks so that I'm almost his height. "You are entirely too tall." I grumble as I reach up and take his long blonde hair from his pony tail and run my hands through it, shaking it loose. "There, now continue." I grin and hop back down, winking at Hall as I see a strange look on his face. "What's wrong, Scotty...Jealous?" I tease and blush brightly as I begin snapping the final individual shots of Kevin. I keep snapping as they toss the empty cans to the ground and stand in front of the newly painted sign, arms crossed and looking both intimidating and smug as they pose for the camera. After snapping several dozen shots, I finally set my camera down and look at my watch, realizing that over two hours had gone by. "Wow..I'm sorry...I didn't mean to keep you all so long." I blush and hurry to put my things away then turn shyly toward Scott. "Um...Mr Hall..I'm going to go down to the women's locker room and shower then get changed, would you mind giving me a ride back to the hotel?" Scott smiles at my shyness and strips off his damp shirt and wipes his sweaty forehead with it, leaving his dark haired chest glistening in the light. He walks over and moves a strand of hair from my face with the back of his knuckles. "Sure thing, baby doll. I'll come get ya in about a half hour. Maybe we can go get something to eat?" He winks as I grab my bag and hurry down to the locker room to shower.
The three men stand watching as I leave, Hogan and Nash both laughing and slapping Scott on his back. "Mr. Hall, huh? Ain't that sweet." Kevin teases as he changes too, laughing at the look on his friends face. "Why don't you two shove it, huh? Leave that sweet girl alone. I'm just helping her out." He says firmly, trying to convince himself of his words just as much as he was trying to convince them. Neither of his friends seem quite convinced and struggle to keep their laughter in until Scott's left the room for the showers and the door shut behind him. Nash laughs and shakes his head. "Looks like things just got a little more interesting around here, don't you think., Hulkster?"
After a long, hot shower, I take my time, nervously trying to fix my hair a little bit, the wild curls having a mind of their own. Finally giving up, I toss my things back in my bag and sit on the bench, thinking as I wait for Scott. A sharp knock on the door shakes me from my thoughts and I smile as I look up to see Scott walking in, his still damp hair pulled back into a low tail and a red short sleeve button down shirt stretched tight across his chest, his large arms showing from under the sleeves. I blush as my eyes roam up and down him, drinking in the gorgeous sight of him. "Hi, big guy." I blush as he walks over and smiles at me, sitting down next to me. "What's with the blush, sugar? It's a nice shade on you." He laughs and grabs my bag. "You hungry? I'm starved." He says with a wink and licks his lips suggestively before laughing deeply and standing, holding his hand out to me. "Come on, Doll, let's get this show on the road." I laugh softly at his self assured attitude and take his hand, following him out of the arena, waving to Nash and Hogan as we pass them. Once we're in the car, he turns on the radio and grins as a Johnny Cash song comes on and I start softly singing along. "That's my kind of girl. Now I know why I like you." He takes my hand in his and holds it tightly as he drives through town just enjoying the music and company. After a short drive through town, he finally stops the car at a small barbeque shack and gives me that beautiful grin of his. "I know a sweet southern girl like you likes some good ol' barbeque, now don't you?" His deep voice, full of smooth velvet and smokiness washes over me, causing a shiver to go through me. I nod and smile. "Of course I do. Where I'm from, honey, it's against the law not to like barbeque." I laugh and get out of the car and we make our way in, the loud country music and the rich, smoky smell of the barbeque filling the air and reminding me of home. I instantly relax in the atmosphere, feeling much more comfortable in this environment. Scott leads me to a corner booth and orders for us both, including a beer for each of us. "Now, Baby Doll, since this is a first date and all, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" Shocked by his words, I laugh nervously and shake my head. "Who said anything about a first date? You never asked, so, I'm afraid big guy, that this is just two co workers having lunch together." I laugh at the look on his face and he nods, reaching over and taking my hand in his. "Well then, doll, we'll have a nice meal as friends, get to know each other, and then, when I ask you out for real, you won't have any reason to turn me down will you?"
My answer is cut off as the waitress brings our beer, and just as at breakfast, this waitress tries her best to flirt as well, but this time, Scott's eyes stay solely on me, not once acknowledging the beautiful redhead. Feeling my heart swell and flutter at his unwavering attention, I squeeze his hand and sip my beer, smiling up at him. "That sounds perfect." We continue to talk as we wait on the food, talking about his time growing up as an Air Force brat, traveling all over the country and even spending a good bit of his teenage years in Germany, and even talking about my less that perfect childhood. The struggling times spent being raised by a single mother, the times in which my mother would barely eat just to make sure that me and my two sisters could eat. I frown softly as I think of my family, severely missing my mother and sisters Jeanie and Kimberly.
Noticing the change in my expression, Scott reaches over and places his finger under my chin and raises my face to meet his eyes. "Doll, you're too pretty to look so sad. I bet your mama and sisters are proud as can be of you. You're a sweet girl, and you're making a life for yourself. Maybe a few months from now when you get some time off, you can go see them, huh?" I feel myself fall in love with him a little just then, smiling brightly up at him, tears clouding my eyes at how sweet he was being. "You, Mr Hall, are much sweeter than what you let everyone think." I lean across the table and kiss his stubbled cheek, blushing at the almost electrical shocks that run through me as my lips meet his warm cheek. I sit back across from him as our food arrives, eyes wide as I see the amount of food he ordered for us both. With a simple wink, he digs into the food, laughing as I watch him wide eyed as he tears through the ribs and brisket. I slowly, shyly eat, careful not to make a mess, not wanting to embarrass myself. After we've both finished eating, I sit back and relax, laughing as Scott does the same, patting his belly with both hands. "I feel like a cat, all fat and happy." We both laugh at his silliness, finishing our beers and paying the tab before heading back to the hotel. Just as I reach the car, I'm stopped from reaching for the door handle by a big arm around my waist, turning me around in his arms and pinning me between his strong, firm chest and the side of the car. His large right hand cups my cheek and he smiles softly down at me, his face moving slowly until our lips were just a breath away from touching. "Baby Doll, I'm going to kiss you now, doll." He pauses, giving me time to move if I wanted, but I couldn't. My heart raced and I felt myself mesmerized by him, senses filled with the sight, sound, scent and feel of him surrounding me. Convinced that there would be no disagreement from me, he slowly closes the gap, his warm lips touching mine in a softly, barely there kiss, the pad of his thumb brushing my cheek.