This Sweet Storm
Ghostwritten by: TheFifthCharmedOne
Disclaimer: We don't own WWF/E or any of its subsidiaries. This fanfiction is entirely fictional and does play fast and loose with world history, specifically the Scottish Royal Family.
Summary: "Light is easy to love. Show me your darkness." – R. Queen - In which the Undertaker (Mark Calaway) is met with his greatest challenge yet: Fiona Stewart - little does he know, there's more to her than what meets the eye. He might be King of the locker room, but she just might be the Queen of his heart.
Chapter Two: A World Within Our Own
RAW is WAR
New Haven Coliseum
New Haven, Connecticut
Early morning, January 6, 1998
"You sure that's not too much for you?" Jason Robinson, one of the WWF's production managers, asked Fiona as she carried a particularly heavy piece of audio equipment.
"If I needed help, I'd ask for it." Fiona replied with a smile. Jason smirked and held up his hands in a mock defensive stance, letting her carry the device. "Is that it?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Thanks for all your help, really." Jason told her earnestly. "It's not even close to your job description to help us carry this crap." he gestured to one of the many equipment trucks.
"You'll find that Fiona excels at doing things out of her job description." Linda said, walking toward them. Jason nodded toward the CEO as a show of respect and went about the rest of his duties. "So, what do you think?"
"I think…" A memory of the Undertaker watching her flashed unbidden in her mind's eye. Strangely, she smiled even wider as it did, which Linda mistook as enthusiasm. "I think I'm really going to enjoy it here."
"That's good to hear." Linda's face lit up and Fiona couldn't help the small skip in her step as she and her new boss approached the former's car for the drive back to Greenwich. "Oh, before we go, I wanted to introduce you to someone." Linda said, and they turned back to the arena, only to find the Undertaker walking toward them.
Except now he was wearing civilian clothes, which gave Fiona a better chance to look him over. "Right on cue. Fiona, this is the Undertaker, or as we call him, the Phenom. He's one of our best superstars to date."
"My name's Mark. Mark Calaway." he said, meeting Fiona's gaze once again. A charged energy permeated between the two of them, the kind without a name, but still tangible in its intensity.
Mark wore all black, even off camera. Faded black jeans were accompanied by a black and gray plaid shirt, complete with cowboy boots and an extremely alluring Texas drawl. On anyone else, Fiona mused, it would look like a Halloween costume, but on him…she let her eyes drag over the muscles and tattoos across his body…it worked well. Very well.
"Fiona Stewart." Fiona offered her hand for him to shake, and he took it. "Nice to meet you, Mark."
For his part, Mark took in the beautifully petite woman in front of him, all creamy pale skin and dark flowing locks of hair. She wore a jean skirt with a floral design on the right side, and a flowy light red blouse that matched the skirt perfectly. Her eyes were what drew him in the most, though, a deep brown that reminded him of chocolate and cinnamon. His gaze found hers yet again and Fiona gave him a small smile – one that he wasn't sure how to interpret, but was very curious to learn more about.
Linda McMahon's Office
WWF Corporate Headquarters
Stamford, Connecticut
January 6, 1998
"I have a surprise for you," Linda told Fiona later that morning. She and Olivia were still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes, as they had been out ridiculously late the night before and had gotten very little sleep.
They approached a wooden door within Linda's office. At one point it had probably been a closet but now the door had a freshly polished golden nameplate on it which read: Fiona Stewart, Personal Assistant to President and CEO Linda McMahon.
"My own office?" Fiona gasped as Linda smiled widely and opened the door for the two princesses.
Inside, a modest corner office had been constructed for her; it had a desk, lamp, computer, chairs in front of the desk, and a small couch opposite that. A floor-to-ceiling window was easily the room's most appealing feature, and it currently showed the gorgeous Connecticut countryside.
"It's perfect." Fiona told Linda. "Thank you very much."
Olivia flew into the room, jumping onto the love seat.
"THE FLOOR IS LAVA!" She shouted. Both Linda and Fiona took spots on the couch and desk chair respectively, giggling like madwomen and gleefully taking part in the child's game.
RAW is WAR
Bryce Jordan Center
State College, Pennsylvania
January 12, 1998
The next six days were like a Midwest tornado for Fiona as she acclimated to being Linda's personal assistant. Along the way, she met numerous WWF superstars and had begun forming close friendships with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Chyna, Sable, and Debra, among other staff and talent. They welcomed her into the wrestling world with open arms, and it felt like a warm hug from an old family friend.
She also formally met Shane McMahon, Steph's brother, when he came by the office one afternoon while Linda was out.
Above all else though, the wrestler she was the most curious about was Undertaker. His domination in the ring and classy Southern gentleman personality had charmed her, and she wanted to get to know him better.
Unfortunately, Mark was scheduled to reappear on WWF programming until the Royal Rumble, where he would face Shawn Michaels for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in a Casket Match. They had been building up the confrontation for weeks, and it was all finally going to come to a head.
Pre-Show Training
San Jose Arena
San Jose, California
January 18, 1998
Olivia and Fiona sat in the VIP section of the arena, watching as the wrestlers prepared for their matches to come that night. They were going in order that the matches were going to happen, ensuring that the stars all knew what script they had to follow.
While Mark was practicing with Shawn, Olivia tapped Fiona's shoulder.
"Can we read more?" she asked, gesturing to the tattered book in Fiona's lap. It had a black-haired boy next to a train and was titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Still a new series, it was one that Fiona and her sisters had come to cherish. They were eagerly awaiting the follow up novel that was set to come out later in the year in the UK, and next year in the US. I wonder if Linda would object to us going back to France to get it sooner? Fiona wondered mildly.
"Take ten!" the referee called out, and Mark came walking over to them.
"What are you ladies reading?" Mark asked.
Fiona opened her mouth to respond, but Olivia spoke first.
"Are you a giant?" Olivia asked, her eyes as wide as saucers.
"No, but I knew one." Mark answers. "His name was André."
"Was he as tall as you?"
"Taller." Olivia's jaw dropped. Fiona and Mark share a bemused smile.
"I like him. You should marry him Na Na." Fiona gasped and immediately blushed scarlet.
"Olivia!" she cried, mortified. "Please, feel free to ignore her." she said to Mark, who chuckled.
"Actually, I was wondering-" Mark began, but was cut off by a shrill whistle. Fiona blinked – how had ten minutes gone by so quickly?
"Taker! Time for more practice!" the referee called. He turned to go, but before he walked away, he said to Olivia,
"Hermione is my favorite character."
Fiona swore that Olivia swooned.
Royal Rumble
San Jose Arena
San Jose, California
January 18, 1998
It had all come down to this.
Fiona couldn't hold back a laugh as Shawn was briefly cowed by the pyrotechnics of Undertaker's entrance. She wasn't sure if that was kayfabe or not, but it was still funny to see a grown man scared by fireworks.
Olivia's eyes were glued to the screen, and Fiona smiled at her sister's enthusiasm. She had truly taken all of the changes in their lives far better than most in her situation, and for that, Fiona was very proud.
The match started and Shawn took an early lead, his speed and smaller size aiding him well against the Undertaker's mass. However, he made a DX cross gesture toward the crowd (probably Mike Tyson) and regretted it when Taker used his superhuman strength to toss Shawn into the turnbuckle. Michaels managed to turn it around and hit Taker with a flurry of jabs, which didn't even seem to bother the taller man.
It took less than five minutes for Taker to wrap his hand around Shawn's neck and grin like he was going to hit him with the chokeslam – until Michaels kicked Taker's knee and freed himself.
The match was back and forth, multiple almost victories for the Undertaker before the match had reached its halfway point.
"Hey! That's not fair!" Olivia cried out when Shawn threw a fistful of powder at the Undertaker, blocking his vision and slowing him down.
"Anything goes in a casket match." Fiona replied. She remembered seeing that bit in the script for the event and even though she disagreed with it morally, it did fit Michaels's persona to cheat.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Shawn's best friend and tag team partner, aided him against the Undertaker, using his crutch as a weapon. A small sob escaped from Olivia when Triple H pressed the crutch into Undertaker's throat.
"It's okay Ollie." Fiona comforted. Olivia didn't even seem to hear her, she was so enraptured by the match.
"Yes!" Olivia cheered when Undertaker came through with an uppercut from the casket. "Yay! Go Taker!"
Fiona watched as Taker recovered himself, fighting back against all odds, and felt the first ripples of attraction flutter in her stomach.
"What do you think, Ollie? Are you a creature of the night?"
Olivia's only response was a broad smile before she turned back to the screen.
Naturally, right when it seemed that Michaels was going to win mostly on his own, he got help from DX in Chyna taking out the referee and a crowd of superstars attacking the Undertaker.
"Oh no!" Olivia covered her mouth and her eyes widened. "No, no, no, no!"
Fiona's heart ached a little, but she refused to ruin the illusion for her.
Just then, the screen went dark and Kane appeared. Fiona's eyebrows furrowed – Kane and Undertaker were brothers? She couldn't remember seeing that anywhere in the script and no one had told her…
"On-screen brothers." Stephanie said quietly, suddenly beside the two.
"Oh." Fiona nodded.
The rest of the match was a blur – Kane turned on his brother (not for the first time) – and with the help of Paul Bearer, finished the match for Shawn. Then, to add to the spectacle, they locked Undertaker in the casket and set it on fire.
Olivia truly began to cry as she watched the casket burn. Fiona hugged her little sister, trying to reassure her without giving away the kayfabe aspect of WWF.
"He's the Deadman, remember? He's not going down that easily." Fiona kissed the top of Olivia's head. Olivia sniffled but nodded.
Royal Rumble
San Jose Arena
San Jose, California
Early morning, January 19, 1998
Hours later, after the show had concluded for the night and all the fans had left the arena, Mark stumbled to the backstage area.
After getting checked out by the medical staff, he sighed heavily. It didn't matter that the whole thing had been scripted and previously agreed on – his body still ached like he'd been run over by an eighteen-wheeler.
"You were great out there."
Fiona approached him, smiling.
"You were watching?" Mark asked.
"Every second."
Something clicked in Mark's head then. A feeling that if he didn't do this now, he'd never do it. Forcing down the nervousness he felt, he said,
"Would you like to go out to dinner?"
Fiona's face turned pink, her eyes widening in surprise.
"I would love too."