A/N: I am so sorry it took me so long to update! School has been kicking my butt with homework, finals, etc. But here is another chapter; shorter than I wanted it to be but I didn't want to have it drag out too long either. I hope you enjoy and review!

Chapter 7

When Shane awoke the next morning, his mother had left the room already. He caught the scent of waffles in the air and smiled to himself. Waffles were his favorite. He could get used to the spoiling his mother was providing. Shane stretched as much as his still sore body would allow and slid out of bed. He took a quick shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a white Hulk Hogan t-shirt before walking downstairs to the kitchen. He was about to open his mouth to greet his mother when he saw his father sitting there, too. In an instant Shane went from feeling carefree to guarded. He shuffled into the kitchen, sitting down at the table quietly, his eyes downcast.

Linda had been talking to Vince, facing the doorway leading into the kitchen from the living room when Shane had approached. She saw him take in the scene, spot Vince in the kitchen and the way his posture changed, his expression changed. She watched her son return to the introvert he had been prior to last night's conversation. Linda inwardly sighed and put a smile on her face as she greeted her son. "Hi, honey. Are you hungry? I made your favorite."

Shane nodded and smiled at his mother. "Yeah, please." He risked a glance over at Vince and saw his father looking his way. His eyes went quickly to the plate that his mother put down in front of him. Shane reached for the butter and then the syrup, busying himself with eating his breakfast.

Vince noticed how Shane seemed almost skittish as he sat next to him. Vince decided to wait and see if Shane spoke first or if he would have to take the initiative. After several minutes of silence on the part of his son, Vince finally spoke up. "Good morning, Shane. How are you feeling?"

Shane had been so consumed in his thoughts he almost didn't hear when his father spoke to him. After a moment's pause, he replied, "Hi, Dad. I'm fine, thanks." His eyes never rose from his plate and his voice barely could be considered above a whisper.

Vince glanced at his wife, who gave him an encouraging smile. Vince gave her a thankful look and spoke again. "Shane I think we need to talk about what happened. About what your mother told you last night."

Shane glanced up then, shaking his head. "No, it's okay Dad. There's nothin' to talk about." Shane didn't want to cause any problems; the fear he had of his father now was almost debilitating. He didn't want to say or do anything to bring it out again.

Vince saw the look in his son's eyes and it killed him to see the fear contained in them. As selfish as it seemed, Vince wished they could go back a night and not reveal any information about that night to Shane. If it would erase the look in his eyes right now, Vince would sell his soul to the devil to make it happen. "Shane… You don't have to be afraid to talk to me. I know that I was severely out of line the night of the accident and if I could take it all back I would. I hope you know that."

Shane nodded in response to his father's words. Truth was, he believed him. If his Dad had been more prone to beating the hell out of him it would be different. He'd had the occasional discipline session but aside from that Vince had never laid a hand on him; especially never in anger. Unfortunately, it didn't matter if Shane believed him. He was still practically shaking just sitting there under his scrutiny.

Before Vince could try to make any more progress with Shane, Stephanie came into the room, squealing in delight when she saw Vince. "Daddy!" She scrambled across the room as quickly as possible, wrapping her arms around her father happily.

Vince hugged his daughter tightly, kissing her cheek, pulling back a little to meet her happy blue eyes. The love shone there was a relief after seeing the fear in Shane's eyes. "Hi, Princess."

"Daddy, why are you home? I thought you were traveling? Is it because of Shane? I heard him scream last night…"

Shane tensed when Stephanie spoke those words, mumbling something about being full and not feeling good, taking his plate quickly and depositing it into the kitchen sink, half eaten waffle still on it and headed out of the kitchen. Vince looked at Linda helplessly and she shook her head, indicating to give Shane some time to himself before trying to talk to him.

Vince nodded and turned his attention back to his daughter who was chattering away at him to fill him in on the week he had missed at home. As much as he wanted to focus on her happy stories, in the back of his mind all he could focus on was how Shane's brown eyes first shone fear and then the disappointment of Stephanie interrupting their conversation. He sincerely hoped he was doing the right thing by letting Shane have some time by himself; he hoped it wouldn't do more harm than good to their already precarious relationship.

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Shane leaned against his bedroom door once it was closed and locked between him and his family and finally took a deep breath. He held his hands out in front of him and saw how they shook. He hated how weak he felt and how his body betrayed his feelings. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he thought. 'I'm a McMahon. We fight, we don't cower in the corner like a coward'.

Before he knew it, Shane was pacing the length of his bedroom, his hands clenched in fists. He was so frustrated with how everything had fallen apart; getting caught coming home late, his father hitting him, getting into the accident and now all of this girly feeling's crap coming out and making him look ridiculous. He had to do something about it… but what? All he knew for sure was that he had to get out of this house. It was driving him insane.

Shane paused in his pacing, instead making the steps take direction and purpose. He walked to the closet, grabbing a black jacket with the WWF logo on it, pulling it on. He pulled on socks and shoes and debated his next move. Does he go grab his keys and walk out in front of everyone? Shane sighed and shook his head. No, he'd go out the back door. Shane peeked out of his bedroom and saw the coast was clear. He quickly and quietly made his way to the back door without being seen and slipped out. Once he was sure he was in the clear he headed straight to Rodney's house. He needed some male bonding time and to forget all of stuff going on at home.