Disclaimer: I don't own Mark Calaway/Undertaker. I only own Misty.
Please review as I would love to know what people think. Thank you to those that have reviewed me already. I've made this chapter longer then planned as I don't know when I will be able to update in next few weeks due to moving home. I hope you enjoy.
A/N: updating and making small changes. sorry for making you all wait.
Chapter 4
Mark and Misty arrived at Hooters after a half an hour bike ride. Mark knew that Misty had enjoyed her first ride out on the bike as every time he looked into the side mirrors, he saw her smiling with her eyes closed catching the wind in her face. He was sad that they had arrived at Hooters so soon as he enjoyed the ride a lot too. It had been years since he shared a bike ride that made him feel comfortable and smile.
Misty had enjoyed the bike ride a lot. At first she got used to the vibrations coursing through her body. Then instantly relaxed when she put her arms around Marks waist to hold on. There was something about Mark that made her feel comfortable. She loved the fact that Mark would go faster when he saw the road was clear. When he did that she closed her eyes and caught the wind in her face feeling the freedom of the open road. Misty had decided she would one day own a bike of her own.
After they both got off of the bike the walked towards the entrance of Hooters. Misty was amazed at how quickly they got escorted straight to a quiet corner booth, away from other patrons where they could talk and relax without being bothered. Mark looked at Misty sitting opposite him and seen the amused look on her face. He leaned forward and whispered "I hope you didn't mind me calling ahead, it's easier to get a quiet seating area then just turning up and getting rushed by fans when waiting."
"No I don't mind at all. To be honest I like sitting in corner booths. It's far more quiet and relaxing." She smiled as she said the last part.
Misty wasn't one for being in crowds or clubs as she preferred quiet atmospheres. She hated when people shouted or were loud. Shouting scared her. She used to run and hide when her adoptive parents would come home drunk or were bored and wanted to pick on her. That's partly why Misty stayed quiet; it's easier to hide when you are quiet.
It was different when she was wrestling and the crowd was shouting and being loud. she encouraged that as it meant she was doing a great job either making them cheer or boo her. It made her happy. She loved to wrestle. It would be her 4th year on the Indy circuit this month. What better way to celebrate then take a risk and enter a WWE competition to become a 'New Breed of Diva'.
Mark stared at Misty looking around the restaurant, taking in her surroundings. He was admiring her smile and innocence, wondering how more outgoing she will become over time. He had seen her wrestle in 3 matches on a tape someone in WWE head office had sent him to look at. He was amazed at what moves she could pull of and how she worked the crowd, making it a great match but also a pleasure to watch. That usually took years for people to grasp. Making the crowd believe in what you are doing. He admired that and would work on that more with her, not that there was much to work on but Mark wanted to spend a lot of time with her. To develop on a character for her. He had seen her wrestle on the tape as both a Heel and a Face. she was equally good at both, which was what made him choose her over the other tapes he saw.
"Excuse me; may I have your autograph?" Asked a 13 year old boy.
"Sure kid, let me just get a pen." Mark replied.
"Oh my... I didn't even see you there Mr. Undertaker Sir...MOM! The undertaker is here as well as Crimson!" The kid shouted out to his mother.
Mark looked at the kid as if he had just misheard him. Then he looked at Misty whose cheeks had turned crimson. He hadn't ever come across it before when a fan would notice an underground performer over him first. It wasn't as if you couldn't see him as he was a large frame compare to Misty. He noticed her smiling at the kid and giving him the autograph.
"Excuse me Mr. Taker Sir... would you mind me giving Crimson a kiss on the cheek?" the boy asked nervously.
"I don't mind as long as you ask the lady first." Mark said looking at Misty wondering what she would say, knowing she was shy.
"What's your name?" Misty asked.
"Mark" he said proudly.
"Well Mark... today is your lucky day as I am only giving kisses out to guys called Mark. Instead of you giving me a kiss though I'll kiss your cheek. Be happy as you're officially the first guy I'm kissing." she said with a wink that made the boy blush.
Mark started shifting in his seat hearing what she had just said. Knowing that there was probably some truth behind what she had said. It made him slightly jealous that the kid was going to get her first kiss but he shrugged off the thought. He wasn't ready yet as he kept saying to himself every time he stared at Misty's smile.
Misty kissed the boy on his cheek. The boy's mother got a photo of her son with 'Crimson' and another with her son and 'The Undertaker'.
"Thank you both so much. You've made my son's birthday the best ever." said his mother.
"No problem ma'am, I'm glad we could help" Mark said shaking her hand.
"Before I go, sorry for disturbing you and your girlfriend's meal. I do have to say you make a wonderful couple."
"Oh... we're erm..." Mark said as he froze and looked over at Misty who was equally embarrassed.
"Thank you and I hope Mark enjoys the rest of his birthday." Misty said just trying to end the convo as quick as she could.
The mother walked back to her family and they left Hooters. Both Mark and Misty picked up menus and looked at what they could eat. Marks mind wasn't on food and neither was Misty's. The both had the same thought and that was that the woman and thought they were a couple and they didn't say anything to make her think different.
Misty got upset as she realized she didn't say anything to the woman to make her think different. She wished she had stayed quiet and let Mark tell her they were not a couple. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes and quickly got up abruptly from the table and went to the bathroom to cry.
Mark had never frozen on the spot like that before when someone mentioned that someone he was out with might be his girlfriend. Usually he tells them straight but today for some reason he just...froze. He lost all thoughts of him freezing when Misty just up and bolted to the bathroom. He managed to catch sight of her shoulders shaking. He knew she must be crying which gave him a sudden sadness inside.
He gave her five minuets before throwing some money on the table and venturing into the ladies bathrooms to see if she was ok. As he walked in, after making sure there wasn't anyone else in there, he checked the first few stalls but Misty wasn't there. He stayed silent for a while then he heard a sudden sniffling sound from the wider stall at the far end of the room. He tapped the door but didn't get a response. As he was about to turn to walk out to give her more time, he heard the door click open but didn't see Misty. He walked closer and what he saw made him upset. Misty was huddled in the corner beside the toilet shaking and sobbing into her knees. Mark walked over to her and without thinking and acting on instinct, he picked her up and held her close into him. He carried her out of the bathrooms, through the restaurant and out to the parking lot to the quiet corner where they had parked the bike.
Misty didn't even realize where Mark had carried her until she felt herself being rested onto the bike. Mark didn't say a word; he put her helmet on her then started up the bike. He had Misty positioned in front of him, facing him and just put her arms around his waist for safety. He then began to ride out of the parking lot and out onto the open road. He somehow knew that this would calm Misty down and cheer her up a bit. He didn't want to ask her any questions until she was calm and relaxed.
After an hours ride, Mark pulled into a small grassy area that was near trees and had a bench with a view of the city below. He turned off the bike and looked down at Misty. At some point in the ride, she had fallen asleep but still maintained a strong grip on Mark. Mark was glad of that but he had also made sure he had hold of her during the ride by relaxing his arms to stop her from falling off.
Mark slowly got off of the bike with Misty in his arms. He looked down at her and instantly was mesmerized by how beautiful she was when sleeping. She looked relaxed. He sat on a bench that looked over the city but he was looking more at Misty then at the view. About 20mins after arriving, Misty awoke to something she thought was the most beautiful view ever. She was staring up at Mark sleeping. He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping.
Misty wished that she could stay watching him sleeping but she knew that they couldn't. She slowly went to move out of Marks arms but was suddenly pulled back to him. Mark knew she had woken up as he heard the change in her breathing. He felt her moving out of his arms so he pulled her back in. He felt relaxed and peaceful with her in his arms. He hadn't felt this way in years.
When Mark's stomach grumbled, they both started to laugh. Misty realized she was laughing again and went to cover her mouth only to have Mark grab her hand in his.
"Why did you do that?" He asked.
"Do what?" She wondered if he was referring to earlier.
"Covering your mouth when you're laughing and trying to stop laughing as soon as you realize you are doing it?"
Misty looked at him nervously and seen the concern in his eyes and she didn't want him worrying about her. She decided she would just tell him the truth.
"I do that because I've not had a very good upbringing. Laughing wasn't tolerated." She was mentally trying to stop her voice from shaking. She hated talking about her past but she trusted Mark.
"Misty, you honestly don't have to tell me anything you are not comfortable telling me. I will say this...I'm here if you need someone to listen. For now though I do want an explanation as to why you ran off crying to the bathroom earlier." he said the last part in a firm voice as he wanted that answering.
"I'm s s sorry". Misty said in a whisper.
"Sorry for what? I don't quite understand what happened that would make you upset."
"I'm sorry for finishing your sentence when the lady said we were a 'wonderful couple'. I should have just stayed quiet." She said with her head down. She could feel tears forming again.
"Don't be sorry. We didn't expect that to happen. I am glad you finished the sentence as I felt silly that I froze. That never usually happens to me." He admitted.
"So you're not mad?" Slowly looking up at him.
"No darlin' I'm not mad." He could see the tears in her eyes again.
"But if you ever decide you need time to cry or sort yourself out please let me know where you're going. I was worried." He said wiping the tears with a bandana. Inwardly wishing he could hold her in his arms for longer and just be close with her. There was something about Misty that drew him to her. He kept telling himself 'you're not ready yet'.
"Okay I promise Mark." she said.
Both stomachs began to grumble as it was early evening and they still hadn't eaten anything. Mark walked around to his backpack and pulled out a load of snacks he had packed. Misty looked at him and smiled.
Mark handed her a soda and a bag of potato chips. They sat on the grass and began to eat.
"So..." Misty said startling Mark.
"So...?" He replied.
He felt nervous for some reason, like he was a teenager all over again. Not knowing what was coming next.
"Is there anything you want to ask me in regards to me wrestling and my training?" She didn't really want to ask that but it was the only other thought in her head other then Mark.
All Mark could think about from that question was re-enacting her matches with her but he shook them thoughts aside.
"I know our 'business lunch' didn't go to plan so let's say tomorrow morning we have a 'do-over'. How's that sound? Then we can talk about work related things. Just for now let's enjoy this lovely view.
Misty looked at Mark...Loving the view. Shaking all thoughts from her head about him like that. She looked over the city view and was enjoying that view too.
"Ok, sounds perfect to me as long as I pay for breakfast." She said looking at him.
"That sounds perfect to me too". He smiled at her.
They spent a further hour on the grassy area and didn't leave until Misty saw the sunset over the city. She loved sunsets from when she was a kid... They made her feel happy.
Mark sat on the bike admiring Misty staring out over the city. He waited till it was finished and called Misty over. She was having trouble putting on her helmet in the dark. Mark came over to help her and without any warning, Misty kissed Mark on the cheek. She had noticed his reaction to when she kissed the little boy's cheek back at Hooters. The little boy had indeed had her first kiss, even though it was on the cheek.
He just looked at Misty as if she had slapped him then all his previous thoughts had come rushing back to the front thoughts and he didn't know if he was ready or not yet. He really wanted to kiss her back but decided not to... for now.
He just stroked her cheek and then got onto the bike without a word. He waited till Misty was on until he started the bike up.
Misty wasn't usually that forward but thought Mark would like the kiss on the cheek. She felt slightly confused by his reaction of stroking her cheek and not saying a word. She didn't expect anything from it but thought she was giving him something he wanted. Misty was confused on what to do or say next.
As was Mark...Until He turned to face Misty as she was getting on the bike and said "I'm glad the day hadn't ended as I was wondering when I would get my kiss on the cheek with my name being Mark." He winked.
"Well I'm glad you enjoyed it Mark." Misty smiled widely and was blushing like mad but was glad it was too dark for Mark to see.
They made it back to the hotel and Mark showed Misty up to her room to make sure she was there safely. Mark made a mental note to make sure Misty would be in the same hotels as him from now on. Just so he could be near her. He was happy that she was slowly opening up a little bit since the earlier hours since they first met.
"Goodnight Mark. Thank you for today." Misty looked Mark in the eyes.
"You're welcome Misty and I also want to thank you for today." He looked her straight in her eyes and noticed there was more life in there. More of a twinkle.
"Goodnight to you darlin'. Make sure you get some sleep as we have a long day planned for tomorrow."
After Mark left, Misty was very happy. It had indeed been the best day of her life even though there were a few ups and downs. She was glad she took up the offer of a lifetime.
