Disclaimer: As always I own nothing WWE related. Any OC's are of my own creation.

Chapter 4

Talk to Me

Stephen watched her car as she cruised safely across the parking lot. Slowly turning he made his way back into the arena – to collect his belongings. Wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he exited the arena cautiously; careful to avoid John, Randy, or anyone else who may have wanted to talk. Stowing his duffel in the back seat of the car, he made his way back to the hotel.

Crossing the hotel lobby he smiled reveling in the silence. Taking the elevator to the tenth floor; he was not surprised when the doors opened and his "friends" were posted outside his door. John, Randy, Layla, and Phil (C.M. Punk) were laughing and joking. With a deep inward sigh, Stephen approached the door. "Fellas" he nodded by way of greeting. "Great match tonight Layla – really good work out there."

A slight blush tinting her cheeks, Layla replied "Thanks Stephen – 'ppreciate it."

"So some of us were gonna go grab a drink – maybe a bite to eat. Wanna go?" chimed in an almost giddy John.

Joking he turned with a playful pulled punch to Phil's right shoulder "Yeh really goin' out with this fella – Mr. Straight Edge?"

Phil laughed deep and throaty "can't leave ol' Randy to baby-sit this ass clown all by himself all the time."

"Hey…Hey…Hey!" John chimed in "I swear you guys are like a bunch of old mother hens," he groaned childishly. "So Stevie – you coming?"

Clenching and unclenching his fist Stephen cringed hearing the awful nick-name. He knew that John only used 'Stevie' when he wanted something – or was up to no good. Hangin' with the fellas was a guaranteed good time, but tonight he'd rather have a few minutes peace and quiet. He told himself that he only wanted to call Peyton to make sure she and Shannon made it home safe. His feelings and reactions were not something he was ready to examine too closely, or to discuss with this motely bunch. It was better they went out without him tonight. "Yeh fellas go on without me. Ah' think ah'm gonna grab a shower and get some sleep."

Both Stephen and Randy could tell that John was about to think before speaking – yet again. "Well" Randy began effectively cutting John off for the moment "Let's get moving then – I'm starving," he complained with a grin. Moving forward Randy grinned; he knew Stephen's mind was all wrapped up in the school teacher. "Come on guys, Layla," he commented before giving John a gentle nudge in the back; moving him along towards the elevator.

"I get it…I get it…I'm going no need to be pushy!" John laughed as he took one last quick glance at Stephen before heading down to the elevators.

Shaking his head with laughter, Stephen watched his friends board the elevator before entering his room. Tossing his bag onto the bed, he immediately headed for the shower. Emptying his pockets atop the bathroom vanity, Stephen watched his reflection in the mirror. Looking at his hands, he smiled at Peyton's number scrawled across the palm of his right hand. Leaning over the tub, he turned on the shower. Looking at her number once more, he smiled as he quickly saved it to his cell phone.

Fifteen minutes later, Stephen absently dried off, dressing in gray cotton shorts – he wrapped a towel around his neck and headed for the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached for his bag – carelessly tossing it to the floor. Collapsing on the bed, he sighed revealing in the momentary silence. Gazing at the bed-side alarm clock he noted that nearly an hour had passed since he Peyton left the arena. Looking at his cell phone he hoped that an hour was enough time to arrive home safely; just not enough time to be in bed asleep yet. Dialing her number he anxiously waited for her to pick-up. He smiled as he heard a little breathy "Hello"

"Peyton?"

There was no mistaking that beautiful Irish accent whispering her name. "Ste…Ste...Stephen" she stuttered surprised that he had called at all; let alone so soon. Stephen grasped the phone a little tighter smiling. He could imagine her beautiful face flushing in surprise as she stuttered.

"Ah'm not interrupting anythin' am Ah?"

"No…No…of course not. I'm just surprised to hear from you so soon is all," she replied honestly.

"Ah just wanted to make sure yeh and lil' Shannon made it home ok?"

"That's very thoughtful of you Stephen – thank you! Yes Shannon and I made it home safe and sound. Poor baby, all the excitement tonight wore her out; she slept all the way home."

"That's me luv – a real thoughtful gentleman," he explained with a chuckle.

"Your mother must be so proud," she replied with a chuckle of her own.

"Oh she is luv….she is, although Ah suspect she'd prefer something with less physical risk."

"A doctor or lawyer maybe," she replied with a faint smile lacing her words.

The warmth of her laughter washed over his senses; as soft as a gentle caress. He loved the joy he heard in her laugh. He almost wished he had something funny to say just to hear her laugh once more. Before he could speak he heard a ruffling, followed by a loud thump, ending with a muffled "Son of a biscuit!" It was his turn to laugh now. Traveling the highways and by-ways with the WWE allowed him the opportunity to hear pretty much everything under the sun. As a man who had shared a locker room with the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, Mark Calloway (the undertaker), Glen Jacobs (Kane), and more he thought that he had pretty heard it all; but this was definitely a new one for him.

As Peyton's voice came back to the line, Stephen detected just a hint of embarrassment. "Son of a biscuit" he questioned? His deep Irish brogue making the phrase sound warm and somehow exotic. She tried to cover her embarrassed giggle only to betray her nervousness in the end. As she struggled for words, he heard the underlying joy in her voice as she spoke about 'her' kids. "When you work around little ears all day; well you learn to get creative about something's"

"It's obvious that yeh love what yeh do," he answered in return.

"Very much so!" she answered openly.

He immediately asked "Why?"

"Why what?" she countered confusion lacing the simple words.

Why do you yeh love teaching so much?"

Laughing brief and humorless with just an edge of bitter coating her laugh she grew quiet for a long moment before asking "Are you asking for the standard easy answer or the more complicated truth?"

Without missing a beat he replied "The truth luv, always the truth!"

With the joy returning to her voice she asked playfully "If I answer yours – will you…?"

"Will ah what?" he asked his curiosity peaked.

"Answer something for me," she replied the words rushing out hard and fast.

"Of course luv, anything yeh ask."

Choosing her words very carefully she began "Working with kids is easier. Adults…well adults tend to make things more complicated than need be. Kids are far more honest – more real."

Stephen mulled over her answer for a moment. He wondered if she was aware how much her answer both spoken and unspoken revealed about her as a person. "Ah believe its yeh turn to be askin' the question luv."

She smiled as she grabbed a pillow and propped herself up against the headboard. She found herself wondering how one chooses to become a professional wrestler. Honestly that was the question on the tip of her tongue. Yet when she opened her mouth to speak she found herself shocked to hear the words rushing forth. "Why did you hold my hand in front of your friends earlier tonight?"

"Did yeh mind me holdin' yeh hand?" the only response.

"No…but that's not the point! Didn't your mother ever tell you never answer a question with a question," she explained with a gentle laugh – something akin to frustration maybe coating the sound.

Stephen was silent for a long moment. Sure he could answer her question. He could tell her that he liked the feel of her soft skin against his. He could tell that he was curious about the scars lining her wrist. He could tell her a half dozen other things that were suddenly rushing through his head. The truth was that when he heard John and Randy approaching he was struck with the need to somehow 'mark his territory' he needed an easy way to make clear that this woman was his. His initial reaction to a woman had never been this strong. He wasn't sure he understood why he was reacting this way to Peyton. The truth was they had known each other less than twenty-four hours. Realizing that neither of them was prepared for the answer to her last question, he attempted to change the subject. "What time do yeh have to be at school in the morning?"

"Class starts at eight a.m. why? asked Peyton a little unsure of the sudden shift in conversation. "Ah was thinking that you and Ah could have breakfast together; before you head off to class." He replied quickly.

"You want to have breakfast with me?" The surprise was clearly evident in her voice.

"It is the most important meal of the day luv. And yes Ah want to share it with yeh. Is that a problem?"

"No….No problem….don't you have to be on the road, headed to your next show or something?" She asked still a little unsure of this sudden turn of events.

"Ah do, but our next show is in Chicago. Ah can have breakfast with a lovely lady and then head to the next venue. So what do yeh say – have breakfast with me Peyton."

Smiling like the Cheshire cat Peyton wondered aloud "When was the last time you had real home cooked food?"

Stephen groaned long and loud "mmm luv home cooking – it's unkind to tease ah man's stomach in such a way."

Peyton smirked "I ain't much of a cook, but breakfast is my specialty."

"Yeh offering to make me breakfast luv?"

"I guess I am" Peyton replied a more than a little surprised by the offer. "You could come by here about five-thirty – six a.m. We can have an early breakfast. Whattaya say?"

Stephen wanted to see her again. He was going to suggest taking her out to eat, but this was an even better idea. "Sounds great luv,"

"Great! Well then let me give you some directions."

Stephen dutifully copied down the directions Peyton recited. "Well then, Ah guess we should both get some sleep then."

Stifling a sudden urge to yawn Peyton agreed "I guess I will see you in the morning then."

"Yes yeh will – good night Peyton."

"Good-night Stephen."

Author's Note: Thank you again to everyone who reading, reviewing, and following. I am open to any and all thoughts, comments, and suggestions so please…please…please review or send me a message. Thanks again for all the feedback

Till next time - xoxoxox

OZ