Chapter 2

Shannon's house…

The boys had moved inside as the Carolina night became cooler. They were still talking about random things as the TV droned on in the background. They hadn't even realized the news was on.

Broadcaster: This just in. There was a shooting tonight at the Double View motel in the small town of Cameron. Sources claim there is one wounded and one dead. It is believed that a couple, Richard and Samantha Lopez, were involved in a domestic dispute when one of them, police still are not saying who, pulled and fired a gun. One of the bullets fired pierced the wall and a woman, Karen Bane, in the next room was hit as well. Both victims were taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment. We will keep you posted as the story develops.

Shannon's blood turned cold as he heard his new manager's name come across the TV. Jeff looked at his friend as the color drained out his face.

"I think the TV said Karen was shot," he replied in almost a whisper.

"Who's Karen," Matt asked confused.

"That's my manager," Shannon said. "Matt, rewind it, see where they are taking her."

"What are you going to do? Ride to her rescue," Matt asked as he moved the show back to the beginning of the story. All three sat there quietly as the news replayed. Jeff kept one eye on Shannon as he absorbed the news.

"I'm heading to St. Mary's," Shannon said jumping up from the couch.

"Dude," Jeff said as he got up. "I am going to come with you." Jeff turned to Matt.

"Want me to drive," he asked as he pulled on his hat.

Shannon smiled gratefully at his two friends.

St. Mary's Hospital…

Karen laid on the gurney in a daze. She couldn't believe she had been shot. This is soooo not my year, she thought wryly.

"Miss how are you feeling," a nurse asked as she checks her vitals.

"Like I was shot," Karen said back earning a chuckle from the nurse.

"A sense of humor is a good thing," the nurse replied with a smile. "You are going up to surgery in a little bit. You are lucky the bullet went right through and missed anything important."

"Real lucky," Karen said. "I'm lucky I still have insurance."

A few minutes later another nurse popped her head in. "Miss you have a visitor."

"I don't know anyone here," Karen said confused.

"It's a Shannon Moore," the nurse replied. "He seems to believe he knows you."

Karen groaned. Great, he's probably going to fire me before I start. "He can come in."

"You are lucky," the young nurse said with a sigh. "He's a cutie."

Karen waited a few moments and sighed as Shannon popped his head in.

"What are you doing here," she asked as soon as he walked in.

"Well, that was a nice greeting for your boss," he said with a smile. "I heard about this on the news. I had to make sure my manager was okay."

"I can't start this week," she said with her eyes looking down at her hands.

"That is unacceptable," Shannon said with a sly wink. "I figured as much Bane. You were just shot. Hell, I thought you were dead. I would have been royally fucked then."

Karen started laughing only to wince and put a hand to her side. "Damn that hurts," she said through gritted teeth.

"What the hell happened," Shannon asked with concern.

"Couple next door in the motel were fighting. I called the cops. As I was on the phone shots were fired. One went through the wall and than through me. The doctors say I was lucky. It missed everything important but I still have to have surgery so they can 'explore the area'" Karen used her fingers to make the quotes.

"I'm glad you are ok," Shannon said.

"Still," Karen said looking up into his eyes. "Why did you come here?"

Shannon smiled as he sat next to her. "I knew you were by yourself here. You work for me know. That means you are family. I always take care of my family."

Karen smiled. She now knew she would enjoy working for this man.

"Hey reject, you found her," a man with purple and green hair said at her doorway.

"Yeah, I found her," Shannon said as he turned back to Karen. "Bane this is my best friend Jeff Hardy and behind him is his brother Matt."

"Nice to meet you," Karen said. "I wish though it was at the shop and not here."

Jeff laughed a little as he walked towards her bed. "Don't worry. You will be seeing me at the shop a lot."

"What about you Matt," Karen asked.

"I visit occasionally, not as much as my inked up brother here," he said with a smile.

A nurse and orderly came into the room. "Time to go upstairs," she said. She turned to the men in the room. "You guys can either wait upstairs or go home. I suggest the latter. She won't be in a new room until after visiting hours."

"Can you call us to let us know she's ok," Shannon asked knowing if he called the hospital information wouldn't be that easy to get.

"You're a cutie," the nurse smiled. "Leave your number and I'll check on her for you."

The boys waved and said their goodbyes to Karen. The nurse looked at Karen and sighed.

"Girl, you had three fine ass men in this room. What is your secret?"

Karen smiled back as they began to wheel her. "He's my boss and those were his friends."

The next day…

Karen sat in her bed smiling. The doctor had just left and told her she could go home today. Sure home was a motel room but at least it wasn't a hospital.

"You sure look happy," a male voice called from her doorway.

"Well Mr. Moore, I get to go home today," she said with glee.

"You mean you get to go back to the motel today," Shannon said warily.

"Damn," Karen said her mood now deflated. "I forgot that part. Do you think they have a different room available?" She so didn't want to go back to the room where she was shot.

"Bane, you are not going back there," Shannon said causing her to look at him as if she had three heads.

"I just had surgery Shannon," she said with a sigh. "Sleeping in my car is not an option and I haven't even started looking for an apartment yet."

"You are so dense," he said with a laugh sitting in the chair next to her bed. "I have plenty of room at my place. You can stay with me."

Now it was Karen's turn to laugh. "You are a funny boss man! I am not staying with you."

"Yes, you are. You don't have a choice. I already checked you out of the motel. Jeff's girlfriend Beth helped me pack your stuff up. It's already at my place."

Karen just shook her head. He was trying to manage her. She hated being managed.

"It's my choice where I stay," she growled as she pulled her stitches a bit. "I am not some stray dog you can take home with you."

"You are anything but a dog sweetie," he said with a coy smile. "You need someone to watch after you the next few days. Come stay with me until you find a place. I am on the road so much it will be nice to have someone at the house making sure it doesn't burn down. Plus my dogs would love the company." He looked up at her with big moon eyes.

Karen closed her eyes knowing he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Are you sure I am not going to be in the way?"

"You won't be."

"Fine," she sighed. "You win. Now let's get me out of here."

Shannon's house…

Karen leaned back in her seat as Shannon's Hummer pulled into his driveway. The scrubs the nurse gave her to come home in were comfortable but all she wanted to do was put on her own PJs. Unfortunately, she knew she may need help with that task.

Shannon smiled at her as he opened her door. She was in her own world and didn't realize that he was waiting for her to unbelt.

"Bane," he said sharply snapping her out of her thoughts. "Let's get you inside."

She smiled as he helped her out of the car. Keeping a hand on her side, she began walking slowly towards the house.

"Let me go in first so the dog doesn't jump."

"Ok boss," she answered tiredly as she made her way up to the door.

Shannon opened the door and greeted Oz. "This here is my boy Oz." Shannon looked up as someone walked out of the kitchen. "Hey Beth."

Beth walked up to Karen and extended her hand. "You must be Karen. I am Beth, Jeff's wife."

"Where is Jeffro," Shannon asked after finally helping Karen to the couch.

"I sent him to the store," Beth said rolling her eyes at Shannon. "You know Reject, beer and stale bread is not food." She turned toward Karen. "You are so lucky I came here. He might have starved you to death if I didn't."

Karen laughed as Shannon growled at Beth. "I'm sure we would have figured something out. But thank you for getting my things from the hotel. It will be good to have my own stuff considering I was kidnapped." She yelled the last part as Shannon had gone to the kitchen to get her water.

"I did not kidnap you," Shannon said now rolling his eyes. "You needed a place to crash and lookie here, you found one."

Beth watched as these two continued to banter back and forth. This is going to be an interesting living arrangement, Beth thought to herself with a smile.