Sheamus sat in his locker room, lacing up his boots, that Monday night. When he finished he slowly sat up, eyes vacant as they scanned the far wall. He soon closed them, taking a few deep breaths.

He should have been focused on his upcoming match that night against Jack Swagger.

He should have been focused on Mark Henry, who he knew was in the building.

Instead his thoughts kept going back to Kimber.

He should have handled things differently during their argument Friday. He should have been honest with her, told her what was going on in his head.

Instead he had tried to play the tough laoch fella. Tried to pretend that he wasn't bothered by the collision course he was sure to take with Mark Henry.

And the thing was, she had given him the prefect opening. She had called it right when she had said he was so intent on beating Henry because he was worried that what happened at SummerSlam would happen again. He should have voiced his concerns to her then.

So why not?

He began to chuckle coldly to himself. He had at first tried to tell himself that he was worried she would think less of him. But he knew that wasn't it. He knew that Kimber loved him, and would keep loving him, regardless.

No, the truth was that he was worried he'd think less of himself.

He was the Celtic Warrior, after all. He faced all comers and win or lose he went on.

So why couldn't he put this past him?

Kimber had also been right when she said he was becoming obsessed. He knew he was. The thing was, he was so driven to beat Henry that he didn't care. And it all had to do with the fact that Henry had managed to put him down and keep him down.

Not that he hadn't tried to get back up. He had. It's just that he had underestimated Henry, or overestimated himself, and couldn't get back into the ring.

There was a large part of him that worried it would happen again. That he would try again and fail again.

And if that happened, he didn't know how he'd be able to manage it. He didn't know if he could look himself in the eye.

He began to pace the length of the room, churning it over in his head. As he turned and started to head the other direction he came to a dead stop, looking at a mirror on the wall before him.

The man looking back at him appeared haunted and unsure.

Just the sight of him made the Celtic Warrior grow angrier. Practically seething, he spun away, scrubbing his hands over his face.

He wouldn't let Henry put him down again. Never again. He would fight him and he would win.

Or he'd kill them both trying.

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Kimber made her way through the arena. Raw was in full swing and the backstage area was a bustle of activity. She, herself, had at least three big interviews scheduled for the show.

She appreciated being so busy. It helped keep her mind off of her problems with Sheamus. Not to mention the baby.

Unconsciously her hand went to her stomach as her thoughts strayed to their child. How was it that she could feel so happy and yet so sad at the same time?

It shouldn't be like this. They should be together, enjoying this amazing time.

She began to frown. But they weren't. They hadn't even said more than two words to one another since Friday.

Kimber glanced down at her feet as she walked, guilt beginning to well up inside of her. She had really handled things badly that day. She should have stayed and had it out with him. Told him everything.

She drew to a stop, her hand once again going to her stomach. Absolutely everything.

The reporter let out a sigh. Now wasn't the time to think about that. She had other things to do. Like go down to ringside and interview Dolph Ziggler.

She continued on through the building, eventually getting to the gorilla. She stepped out onto the ramp and some of the fans cheered for her. She gave them a bright smile and a wave as she continued on.

She was soon in the ring, receiving a microphone from Justin Roberts. She gave him a smile of 'thanks' and went to stand in the center.

"For the past few weeks Dolph Ziggler has been involved in a heated rivalry with Alberto Del Rio." she began, "At this time, I'd like to bring Dolph out here and get his take on what's going on."

She looked towards the ramp, expecting the Show Off to appear.

"Somebody's gon' get they ass kicked,

Somebody's gon' get their wig split

Somebody's gon' get they ass kicked,

Somebody's gon' get their wig split.

Beat 'em up, beat 'em up,

break his neck, break his neck."

As soon as the theme music hit Kimber's eyes began to widen in alarm. She involuntarily took a step back as Mark Henry stepped out on the stage and began to make his way towards the ring.

He was looking directly at her. No, make that glaring directly at her. It sent a shiver a fear racing down her spine.

Kimber quickly raised the microphone, calling out in a bid to diffuse a possible situation, "Mark, I thought I was going to be interviewing Dolph at this time. I will be more than happy to interview you later if you-"

The World's Strongest Man stepped into the ring and walked over to her, taking the mic from her hand.

"No, you're going to interview me right now." he ordered, passing the microphone back to her roughly.

Kimber looked up at him, visibly nervous and unsure of what to do.

There was a big part of her screaming for her to get out of the ring. While she didn't recall Mark ever putting his hands on a woman before he wasn't exactly the nicest guy. Who's to say what he would do to her if she stayed.

Or what he might do if she tried to leave.

She caught Siobhan's eye. The other woman had her camera lowered and she was mouthing, "Get out of there." to the reporter.

Kimber took another step back and suddenly Mark's hand shot out, grabbing her around the wrist and yanking her back to him.

"I deserve to have my say and that's what I'm gonna do!" the large wrestler yelled, "I'm sick and tired of the WWE and the WWE Universe caterin' to paper champions like Cena and Sheamus while I'm forced to sit on the sidelines. I-"

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off as the fans erupted into the cheers. The pair turned around, watching as Sheamus bolted to the ring, face filled with rage.

Mark quickly released Kimber, causing her to stumble backward, as he turned and regarded the Celtic Warrior evenly.

The Irishman slide into the ring and got to his feet, constricted eyes locked on the other man as he came between the World's Strongest Man and his girlfriend. He backed towards Kimber, reaching out to place a hand on her arm in a bid to get her to back up.

"Get out of the ring, Kember." he ordered, keeping his full attention on Henry.

Kimber looked up at him with a mixture of gratitude and uneasiness before she slipped between the ropes and carefully climbed down to the floor below.

She quickly turned back around, watching as the two men continued to regard each other heatedly.

"Look at the big, bad Celtic Warrior," Henry began to chuckle coldly, "Comin' down to save his little girlfriend."

"This has nothin' to do wit' her. You keep her out of it." Sheamus growled to the other man, "You have a problem wit' me, you come find me. Ah'm not hard to find, fella."

"And what are you goin' to do if I don't?" Mark challenged.

That was enough for the Celtic Warrior. He charged at the other man with a bellow and the fight was on. He hit him with a double ax handle. It didn't knock Mark down but it did knock him back a few steps.

Kimber made her way to the front of the ring, looking up at the ensuing fight with wide eyes.

Henry suddenly went charging for the other man. At the last second Sheamus ducked down, pulling the top rope down with him. Henry couldn't stop his momentum and he went sailing over the top rope and to the floor below.

Mark hit the ground with a 'thud' but quickly got right back up to his feet. Sheamus was still in the middle of the ring, rage coursing through his body, causing his face to turn bright red.

"Come on!" the Irishman bellowed down to him, "Come on, Ah'm right here! Get back in the ring and fight me!"

Mark snarled up at him, his own anger beginning to grow out of control. He spotted the steel steps and promptly seized them, spinning around and tossing them towards the ring.

What happened next shocked everyone at ringside and backstage. The steps ricocheted off the ropes, hurtling back towards the floor. Kimber saw them coming but was unable to move out of the way in time. She tried to raise her arms to ward off the blow but it did no good as the steel slammed into her.

The reporter hit the ground instantly, still and unmoving. A bruise began to spring up on her forehead.

Siobhan cried out in alarm, dropping her camera.

Sheamus was out of the ring in seconds, Henry immediately forgotten. Shaking with fear and fury, the Irishman knelt by his girlfriend's side. Hands trembling, he reached for her.

He was unsure of what to do. Everything in him was screaming for him to take her in his arms, but he was afraid to move her.

"Kember!" he bellowed, "Kember, can you hear me?! Kember!"

Mark looked down at them in surprise before indifference came over him. He waved them away before turning and making his way back up the ramp. As he walked away he was quickly passed by Doc and the other trainers as they raced to the fallen woman's side.

"Sheamus, you got to get back." Doc grabbed a hold of Sheamus shoulder to try and move the Celtic Warrior out of the way, "Sheamus, get back!"

The Irishman went to his feet, backing away with his hands gripping at his red spikes. Abject fear was written on his face as he stared down at his girlfriend.

Siobhan came to his side, arms wrapped around herself as she watched them attend to Kimber. She glanced nervously up at her brother. She had never seen him so afraid before. It was jarring, really, coming from the usually stalwart man.

EMTs came to ringside, rolling a gurney with them. It wasn't long before they had Kimber on it, the group heading up the ramp to the back. Sheamus was right behind them, calling out for Kimber.

"Ah'm right here, angel." he called after her, even though her eyes were still closed, "Ah'm not goin' anywhere."

They hurried through the backstage area and towards a waiting ambulance. All around them crew, Superstars and Divas looked on in concern.

As soon as Kimber was loaded into the back Sheamus jumped in after. One of the EMTs closed the doors and hit them to signal that the driver could leave. The lights began to flash, the sirens began to wail and seconds later the ambulance was speeding out of the building and into the night. . .

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Sheamus paced the length of the waiting room. The sound of each footstep practically throbbed in his ears, deafening over the otherwise quiet room.

John, AJ and Layla were there with him, nervously watching him stalk back and forth.

"Sheamus, would you like to sit down?" Layla offered gently.

He turned and gave her a narrowed look, causing the British Diva to sigh, "Okay, never mind. Forget I said anything."

The Irishman came to a stop, raking his hands through his hair. He closed his eyes, trying to check his emotions, "Ah'm sorry, lass. No thank you."

"It's all right." Layla told him with a sad smile, "I understand."

"She'll be all right." John tried to assure her.

"Right." AJ piped up with a hopeful smile, "Kimber's tough."

"She'd have to be considering everything she's been through." Layla murmured to the other Diva.

Sheamus caught her words and paused. Anger began to build up inside of him. How much more would the lass have to take? When would she finally get a break?

He once again began to pace. It was either that or storm out of the room and demand to know his girlfriend's condition from the first person he saw.

He could see it again, all so clearly, in slow motion.

He could see Henry throw the steps at the ring.

He could see them bounce off the ropes and go shooting back towards the floor.

He could see them slam into Kimber with so much force that it drove her to the ground.

He could see her laying still and unmoving.

His hands began to clench into fists and his teeth began to grit as his anger turned into a deep burning rage.

He was going to kill Henry. Simple as. He was a dead man.

A doctor, about mid-fifties with black hair and kind brown eyes, came into the room at that moment.

"Sheamus." John called out, getting the larger man's attention.

At once the Irishman wheeled around and advanced on the doctor, demanding, "How is she? Is she all right?"

The doctor took in the fear in the larger man's eyes and offered him a sympathetic smile, "She's just fine. A bit of a bump on the head but thankfully there was no concussion. She just needs some rest and she'll be as good as new. You can take her home as soon as she's ready, in fact."

"What about the baby?" AJ suddenly asked in concern.

All eyes focused on the smaller Diva. Sheamus and John regarded her in stunned silence while Layla appeared more than a little annoyed.

AJ took in their expressions in confusion until realization struck. Her eyes widened as she gasped, her hand slapping across her mouth.

Baby? Sheamus wasn't sure he had heard her correctly. Had the lass just said baby?!

"No." he shook his head, a confused smile coming to his lips, "Kember isn'. . ."

His voice trailed off as he took in the guilty expressions on Layla and AJ's faces and his smile slowly faded away.

Kimber was pregnant. The realization rocked him to his very core. She was pregnant.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to work his mind around that bit of information. He shook his thoughts away, knowing there were more important things to worry about now.

"How is the baby?" he asked the doctor, "Are they all right?"

The doctor grew slightly uncomfortable, looking down at the floor as he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, Mr. O'Shaunessy, but I'm not at liberty to talk to you about that. But, um, if you wish to see your girlfriend you're more than welcome to. She's resting in Recovery Room 4."

The wrestler wasted no time, hurrying down the hallway to the right room.

Pregnant. He just couldn't believe it. She was carrying his baby.

He reached the door, opening it and stepping inside the room. Instantly his eyes locked in on her. She was laying in the hospital bed, eyes closed, a bruise visible on her forehead. It appeared as though she were sleeping.

His steps were cautious as he approached the bed, his eyes going to her still flat stomach. To think there was a baby growing inside there at that very moment. . .

Sheamus arrived at the bed and his hand raised, reaching out to tentatively touch her stomach.

He thought better of it, though, instead choosing to rest it on her head. Kimber's eyes opened straight away and she looked up at him.

A reassuring smile came to her at the sight of his concerned expression, "Hey, you. Don't worry, all right. I'm just fine."

She gave a light laugh as she added, "Good thing I have such a hard head, huh?"

"Yeah." his voice was quiet as he reached down and pressed a long kiss to the uninjured temple.

He straightened, continuing to stare down at her in wonder and disbelief. He was still in shock over the news.

"How's the baby?" he asked at last, tone unreadable.

Everything in Kimber went still. Her eyes began to widen as the question penetrated her brain. Oh God, he knew!

"How did you-"

"AJ accidentally let it slip out." he interrupted, shaking his head. Hurt began to flare up within him, tinting his voice as he asked quietly, "How is it that she and Layla knew before Ah did?"

Kimber swallowed, immediately feeling guilty about her choice to keep it a secret. She should have told him the second she saw him after finding out. But no, she had decided to keep mum so that he would have one less thing to worry about. And instead all she had managed to do was hurt him. Hurt this big, beautiful man who had done so much for her. Had been everything to and for her for so long.

She offered a weak smile and quipped tentatively, "I'm up the pole?"

He gave her a look that told her he didn't find it funny. The Irishman turned away, scrubbing his hands over his face. How could she think to joke at a time like this?

Kimber reached out, taking hold of one of his hands. He didn't pull away from her and she took that as a good sign. At least he was willing to listen to her explanation.

"I was going to tell you." she began, "I really was, Sheamus. But with everything going on with Mark Henry and. . ."

Her voice trailed off. How in the world could she breach the subject of his growing temper with him? How could she even begin to have that conversation with him?

"And?" he asked, his other hand raising up at his side in a motion for her to go on.

"And I was just trying to work up the courage." she murmured, her eyes going to their joined limbs, "I mean, we've only been together for about four months-"

"Feels like longer to me." he interrupted and Kimber couldn't help but smile gently at that. Especially when he squeezed her hand for emphasis, "Ah feel like we've been together since the day Ah met you. Before that, really."

"I feel the same way." she whispered as she blinked back the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes.

She cleared her throat, struggling through her emotions and trying to get back to the situation at hand, "But still, we've only just moved in together. We haven't even talked about the idea of marriage or children or anything like that."

Kimber once again looked to their joined hands, "I'm not holding you to anything. I know you'll want to take responsibly for this baby, but I don't want you to think I'm forcing you into anything."

He gaped down at her, astounded by her words. He was never one to sidestep his responsibilities. As if he would! Especially over something like this!

"Of course Ah'll take responsibility." he stated, voice rising slightly, "Yer carryin' me child in there!"

He paused and it hit him all at once.

Wonder began to fill him and he was unable to stop himself as he reached out, his large hand covering her stomach. Kimber could see his hand shaking slightly but when she looked into his eyes they were filled with nothing but amazement.

Logically he knew he wouldn't be able to feel their baby moving around, but just knowing that their child was inside of her, growing, was astonishing to him.

"Is the wee one all right?" he quickly turned back to her, worried.

"The doctor didn't tell you?" Kimber was surprised.

The Celtic Warrior shook his head, "No, he said it had to be yer call."

"The baby is fine." Kimber smiled as she placed her hand over his, "Just fine."

"How long have you known?" he asked.

"I just had it confirmed this past Friday."

"So when you were sick. . .?"

"I honestly thought I was coming down with something." Kimber explained, "It wasn't until I got sick again that I started to suspect. So I took a test this past Monday and it came up positive."

"Why didn' you tell me then?" Sheamus demanded.

"Because I wanted to be absolutely sure." the reporter averted her eyes, adding quietly, "Plus I think I was still in shock. Or denial. Or both.

"Anyway, I knew I had an appointment coming up that Friday so I asked to have a pregnancy test done. Dr. Weaver preformed it and told me I was pregnant."

Sheamus' hand eased from her stomach. He scrubbed both hands over his face before they went to his hair. Soon he was pacing the length of the room.

Kimber began to fidget with her fingers as she nervously followed him with her eyes. From the angle where she was on the bed she couldn't see his face. She was so afraid that he was going to be disappointed or, even worse, upset at the news. Not that she would have blamed him. He hadn't signed on for this anymore than she had.

"Sheamus?" she called out, voice quivering as her hands went to her stomach.

He finally turned back to her, his eyes raking over her. Suddenly he began to laugh, the sound filled with both absolutely joy and awe. His reaction caused a grin to break out on his girlfriend's face, as well.

"So you're all right?" she asked with a nervous giggle. There was still a small part of her that feared he would become hysterical at any moment.

"Am Ah all right?" he asked, once again raking his hands through his hair, "Angel, Ah'm grand! Yer havin' me baby!"

He closed his eyes, quickly correcting himself, "Our baby, Ah'm sorry."

He hurried back to her side, gripping her face as he leaned over and pressed countless kisses against her lips.

"Is tú mo ghrá." he breathed against her lips in between kisses, "Tá mé chomh mór sin i ngrá leat."

Kimber laughed against his lips, elated that he was so happy. And to think she had been so afraid to tell him. And it was all for nothing.

"I love you, too." she told him when he eventually pulled back.

"You've never looked more beautiful to me than you do right now." he murmured tenderly, his hand stroking through her hair.

That caused the reporter the blush and she ducked her head, absolutely touched by his compliment.

"I'm ready to get out of here whenever you are." she sighed as she leaned back against the pillows, "I just want to get a good night's sleep and then get back to work tomorrow."

Sheamus stared down at her, "Ah don' want you to go back to work. At least not yet."

Kimber blinked, "Sheamus-"

"Ah think you should rest, Kember." he was adamant.

"But I'm all right." she tired to reassure him, "And the baby's all right. The doctor said it was perfectly fine for me to go back to work. Really. He said I was good to go."

"Yeah well he's not the one who got hit wit' steel steps tonight." he added with a frown, "And he's not the one carryin' a baby, now is he?"

The reporter sighed, realizing he was going to be one of those overprotective fathers.

"Ah just want you to take it easy." he said as he once again took her hand in his, holding it up to his chest, "You scared the hell out of me tonight."

She could see that he was still a little bit worried, that much was obvious. Coupled with the news he had been hit with tonight, she decided to cut him some slack. Some.

"I'll make you a deal." she stated, giving his hand a squeeze, "I'll take it easy until showtime tomorrow. Then I'm going back to work."

The wrestler wasn't big on that idea, but he was willing to compromise.

"All right." he said at last, exhaling loudly, "But Ah mean it. You stay off yer feet until the show tomorrow."

"Yes, bossy." Kimber smirked up at him.

"And don' you forget it." he stated before leaning down to give her another kiss.

Before it could deepen a knock came at the door. As the pair pulled back the door opened and John, AJ and Layla stuck their heads inside. They looked at the couple nervously.

Sheamus looked at them, eyes wide and a big grin on his face, "We're up the pole!"

That caused the group to laugh and the trio made their way inside. AJ and Layla each gave Kimber a big hug while Sheamus heartily shook John's hand.

"So how do you really feel, Dad?" John asked with a smirk.

Sheamus sagged against him, blowing out a big breath as he wiped at his brow. That earned another round of laughter from the group. John could see just how happy the bigger man was, though, and he slapped him on the back in congratulations.

"I'm just glad the cat's finally out of the bag." AJ sighed.

"Yeah, no thanks to you." Kimber stated, but she was smiling as she said it.

"Sorry." the Diva hesitantly apologized, "I couldn't keep my big mouth shut."

"It doesn't matter." the reporter smiled, "It all worked out for the best."

"Yeah." Sheamus agreed, "Now all we have left to do is tell our families."

Kimber looked up at him, nervousness beginning to come over her.

"Yeah." she murmured quietly, "We just need to tell our parents."

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PS: F the Chicago crowd for the way they acted during the Sheamus vs. Christian match on Raw this week. (And this is coming from an Illinois girl). I am so disgusted with them. Ugh. Sad thing is, I knew they'd act like a bunch of smark jerks.

Personally, I thought it was a great match. A little too long, maybe, but still pretty darned good. I can't wait to see where this feud goes. :)