Just after 11am a thunderstorm hit with full force, torrential rain and intense wind was buffeting the hotel. Mark was sat watching football when it hit and he remembered what Cassie had said that morning. Getting his cell out he called Jess.
"Where's Cassie?" he asked as soon as she answered.

"Hi daddy!"

"Please don't play games Jess its important, where is she?"

Jess was worried when she heard how concerned Mark was about Cassie.

"You didn't do…"

"No I didn't." Mark snapped angrily.

"515 daddy, look after her."

Mark was already outside Cassie's door when they hung up, it was a quick walk considering he was in 509. he knocked loudly on the door and when she didn't answer her called out to her. Cassie opened the door quickly, she was white as a sheet and let him inside. She had all of the curtains shut and MMA on loud, Mark watched her curl up on the sofa under a blanket. Mark sat at the other end and watched her visibly shake and jump at each rumble.

"Cassie Darlin' you can come sit next to me if you want to."

She stayed right where she was and after he reaction to the next crack of thunder he couldn't stand it anymore.

"Cassie I'm gonna move closer to ya alright." Cassie looked him in the eye and Mark could see the fear but knew it wasn't him that she was scared of. "I'm not gonna hurt ya I just want to keep you warm."

Cassie could see the worry in his eyes and felt really bad so she slowly nodded. Two seconds later she was picked up and settled on Marks lap, if she'd had time to scream she probably would have. His huge tattooed arms wrapped around her small frame, holding her against him.

"Are you alright?"

Cassie nodded and Mark felt another round of shivers run through her.

"Talk to me sweetheart." He looked down into her face. "is it because of them attacking you?"

"Yup I don't even know why."

Mark had his hand rested on her hip and Cassie could feel its heat through her clothes.

"When I was 17 I was in a real bad accident, it was my second time on a Harley and I was going home. I was about 4 miles from home and a storm hit, I never knew it was coming. A huge crack of thunder hit and I hit my brakes hard. I slid along the road on my side and smacked into a tree, I was wedged between my bike and the tree for five and a half hours unconscious until someone found me. By the time I woke up the storm had finished and I was in hospital. I broke my left leg and crushed my right hip, broke my ribs and collarbone and was concussed. From that day till I was about 21 I was scared of storms, every time one hit I panicked or had nightmares about it."

Mark was still really worried about Cassie but he was really enjoying having her in his arms. She fit perfectly.

"How did you get over it?"

"It was Glen actually. I've known him since we were children and his living me like a brother was what helped me through. I trusted him and he understood and got me back on my bikes and he got me to love thunderstorms."

Cassie was looking it Marks face and he could see I her eyes that she was worried about him. His heart clenched and it felt as if he had butterflies, he mentally cursed himself. He was acting like a hormonal boy not a grown man, he had never felt like this with Megan or Sara and definitely not Michelle.

"So I need someone who loves me to help me get back on my bike."

Mark nodded, he couldn't help himself, his eyes kept dropping to her lips. He was wondering what she taste like and whether she'd able to match. They'd both gone silent and were listening to the rain as they looked at one another.
"Mark why did you come here?"

"Because I heard the storm and thought that you might need somebody." He blushed a little, worried about what she might think.

Cassie leaned up slightly and kissed his cheek gently, his eyes never left her face and she opened her eyes to show him the sparkle that he'd put there.

"Umm you can kiss me if you want to."

Cassie said making Mark grin and her blush even more, she felt naïve and stupid for saying it.

"Darlin' if I kiss ya I'll need to put you back on your cold end of the sofa, which I don't think either of us wants to happen."

"oh" Her reply clearly showed that she had no idea what he was meaning. He really didn't want to scare her into the reality of his attraction to her. Mark wondered if he could somewhat appease both their appetites but not push it too far. He leaned forward and just before their lips met she closed her eyes.

Cassie was amazed that such a big man could have such gentle and soft lips. Mark was trying to hold onto his control and after kissing her a second time he pulled back slowly watching her lids open to reveal blue crystals.

"Sorry Darlin' I couldn't handle anymore."

Instead of asking another question to embarrass Mark and his lack of control she simply settled against him. Half an hour later he lifted her gently and carried her to the bed, she was peacefully asleep. As he softly shut the door he still couldn't believe how sweet and soft her lips were and how perfectly she fit into his arms.

Five P.M.

Cassie was in Jess's bathroom putting her dress on, there was a group of ten women in the other room waiting to see her. Her dress was a strapless black cocktail dress with black stiletto ankle boots a black clutch purse and silver heart necklace. Stepping into the bedroom everyone clapped and each women took turned until they were all reayd and waiting. One by one all of their partners began picking them up, until Jess, Nat and Cassie were the final three remaining. Jess was wearing a beautiful silver cocktail dress and Natalya was in black, both were strapless and absolutely stunning.

At six thirty there was a knock at the foor and Jess ran to get it. Cassie had her back to the room standing on the balcony so she didn't see Mark enter. As he noticed her his jaw dropped and Jess needed to elbow him to make him shut it.

"Daddy got and talk to her."

Mark saw Glenn and Natalya kissing and decided that Cassie was right they were a very cute couple. He stopped in the doorway and gently knocked getting her attention, he could see little bits of tattoo's dotted across her body.

"Can I join you?" He asked softly and she nodded.

"You look very handsome Mark."

"Thanks Darlin'. You look amazing. How you going?"

Mark spent a couple of minutes looking Cassie over, setting her nerves off.

"Guys its time to go." Jess said, hating to interrupt them but their car would be waiting.

Mark escorted Cassie leaving the couples to be all lovey-dovey in their own elevator.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep on you, I hope I wasn't too heavy for you."

"Darlin' I bench press more than you weigh."

"I bench press more than I weigh also but that wasn't my point and you know it." Mark grinned making Cassie smile even brighter.

"You can fall asleep on my anytime."

Cassie burst into laughter and was still chuckling when they got into the limo.

"Why were you watching MMA?" Mark asked and she realized that it had only just registered in his brain, sending her into another fit of laughter. "You're a good lawyer I thought you'd be against it."

"Firstly I'm a criminal lawyer not a good one, and secondly I enjoy MMA. Why shouldn't I?"

"Most women don't." Jess was following their conversation and was amazed at how interested he was in what Cassie was saying.

"I think that after the few conversations we've had that you should know I'm not like most women. I don't mind blood, death or fighting and I really dislike shoes, makeup and sororities."

"It gives me ideas also." She added after a while and Mark chuckled.
They arrived at the theatre and everyone got out, all attention was immediately on Mark and Cassie whom he helped to get out. The six of them made their way inside, most of the guys were staring at Nat, Jess and Cassie. As they entered Mark guided Cassie with his hand at the small of her back, they could both feel the heat of the others body. Although the group was seated together Cassie was sat between Mark and Glenn, the fans kept chanting their names and both men waved earning screams. Cassie turned to Mark and said.

"That will be you being inducted in a couple of years and then they'll scream your name and not the Undertakers."

He looked down at her and wondered how exactly she knew what he was thinking.

"I might say that I don't want to." He teased and she smiled, everyone around them and most of the fans noticing their innocent flirtation.

"Well if you don't get inducted then I don't have a reason to get all dressed up again!"

"I'll get inducted just so I can escort you again." Jess was still watching them wit interest.

"What if you're with someone else?" The only thing that went through Marks head was that if he got inducted she would be there as his partner and they'd celebrate privately afterward.

"IF I'm with someone they'll deal with it cause I've permanent markered you in as my date."

"Good!:

Shortly, after the lights went down and the ceremony began. Cassie thoroughly enjoyed it and could picture Mark up there being inducted by Glenn, and scarily she could picture herself there to support him. Once the ceremony was over all of the wrestlers and families went into the adjoining ballroom for drinks and to chat, Mark again guided Cassie through with his hand on the small of her back. Nat and Jess dragged her into the bathroom and harassed her with questions.

"Dad is wrapped around your little finger!"

"Mark is more whipped then I've ever seen him, you must be really good for him."

Cassie decided to just touch up her make up and leave, she really was falling for Mark. Jess was happy for her and her dad but it was strange that they were still gossiping about it. She went back into the ballroom and grabbed a drink before going to stand with Jackson, before she's stopped moving Mark was by her side. He smiled down at her and sipped his beer Ric Flair came over to chat. From the moment he was there Ric Flair couldn't stop staring at her chest.

"Ric that ain't her face!" Mark growled in the middle of their conversation, Cassie laid her hand on his arm to show that she didn't care.

"I'm sorry Cassie but your stunning."

"Thanks Ric but that doesn't mean you can stare."

Ric blushed and said his goodbyes before he disappeared.

"Sorry Darlin' he's a bit of a pervert."

"Mark you really don't need to apologise for what other people do."

A couple came over and Mark leaned down to kiss the woman on the cheek, the guy turned to look at Cassie and smiled.

"It's Cassie isn't it?" She nodded. "I'm Paul, I was at the gym in Houston with Mark and Dave."

Cassie shook his hand and saw the woman eyeing her suspiciously.

"I'm Stephanie, Pauls wife. He told me what happened." Cassie looked worried and Stephanie smiled. "I'm glad a woman finally showed Dave he's not gods gift."

"I didn't mean to it was just a reaction."

"It was funny none the less." Paul muttered.

"Well it might have been funny to you but it wasn't funny at all to me."

"Sorry." Paul said making Steph and Mark grin.

"Cassie its good to see a woman like you on his arm instead of a brain dead Barbie."

Mark wasn't sure how Cassie would react, because although they'd been together all day it wasn't as if he'd asked her to be his date. He watched Cassie smile gracefully before she commented.

"A woman like me?"

He let out the breath that he didn't even know he was holding in.

"yeah someone who has natural beauty and curves. Brains and eloquence to hold a decent conversation about more than nail polish. A spark that says don't fuck me over, and an attitude and interests that are diverse and cultural. You have morals, well-founded opinions and integrity, you know when to challenge and when to go along, and you hold peoples attention to the exclusion of all else."

Mark and jess who had come over half way through were both speechless at how well Stephanie had picked Cassie.

"You got all of that from three sentences?" Cassie asked.

"I got it from how you look, act, hold yourself, speak and interact. Its part of my job to gauge people."

Cassie smiled and leant in to whisper in Stephanie's ear.

"A tattoo would look great on your inner wrist."

"How did you know that?" Mark and Paul looked questioningly between the two.

"You keep looking between my tattoo's and your wrist, plus its part of my degree to study people and their behavior."

"What are you studying?" Paul asked fascinated at the young women.

"Criminal law with a part focus on outlaw motorcycle clubs."

"Interesting." A voice said from behind them, Mark and Cassie half turned to see Michelle stood there. As usual her outfit left little to the imagination, Cassie immediately felt her anger building. "So you're here to study him… You're as bad as all the other women."

"Sorry to burst your sad little bubble Michelle but I don't study people I care about." Clearly Cassie didn't think before she spoke because now everybody knew she was definitely interested in Mark.

"Yeah right your just a nosy selfish slut like the rest of the ring rats around here."

Stephanie could see how dangerous the whole situation was getting, but wanted to see what Cassie was capable of. Cassie stepped closer and in the nastiest growl Stephanie had ever head from a woman, said…

"Back off or I'll knock your teeth down your throat."

Mark was watching the interaction with pride for Cassie, plus it was turning him on something chronic to see her like this. She was strong and independent but also needed protecting and loving, she was an enigma.

"I've worked out why you're so desperate for Marks' attention."

Jess saw Cassie tense up and knew that Michelle was about to die.

"Michelle stop!" Jess begged and Michelle smirked.

"You're here because he's very big, attractive, famous and rich. We've all heard about you and men, you sleep with them and when they are no longer interested you cry rape…"

Michelle never got any further because Cassie connected with a right hook. The taller woman landed in a pile on the floor completely knocked out. All eyes turned their way, Jess, Paul and Steph were stunned whili Mark was concerned about Cassie.

Cassie half turned to him and spoke.

"I'm sorry Mark, enjoy the rest of your night." With her head held high she left and went back to the hotel, as soon as he door was closed Cassie let the tears fall. She knew there was no chance at all for her and Mark now. Cassie had now embarrassed him in front of his colleagues.