Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Why are you so nervous?"

Catelyn ignored him as she focused on steadying her hand long enough to apply mascara.

"You don't even want to go out with him so I don't see why you would be so nervous."

After poking herself in the eye yet again, she turned around, fixing a glare on Shawn. "Don't you have somewhere better to be?"

"Not really." He replied, reclined on the bed as he flipped through channels.

"Didn't you have a meeting?" She pressed, wanting nothing more than to get him out of there. "I specifically remember writing down a 7 pm meeting for today so u wouldn't be here."

"Cancelled." Was all he said.

She stared at him before her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my god you cancelled it on purpose"

"Hey, this is a pretty good show."

"And now you're avoiding the topic. Oh my god Shawn, it's a date that I don't even want to go on and I don't need you hanging around for when he gets here. What are you going to do, give him the fatherly 3rd degree? Oh wait, you can't do that because you're not my father."

He turned to glare at her.

"Why the glare?" She taunted. "Are you starting to think you might be?"

"I never fully denied it, did I?"

"yes you did. Many times. And I'm not stupid, I know what you must be thinking. She didn't put me up to this, she didn't hire me. As far as I know, whether she's lying or not, you are my dad."

He looked at her warily, wondering how she could've possibly known the thoughts that had entered his mind so many times.

"I'm more intuitive then people would like to give me credit for." She said with a shrug. "I spent a lot of time watching people."

"You were quiet long enough for that?" He couldn't help but remark.

Her expression softened as she turned back to the mirror and finished applying her make up.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Shawn. I'm not gonna deny that I've been a total cow since I met you but I have every right. You have no idea what I went through, nor will you and I'm sorry if you don't like my attitude but when it comes down to it, I need to protect myself first and foremost."

"I get the wanting to protect yourself, but if you want this to work, you have to be able to trust in me."

"No Shawn, if you want this to work then you have to admit who I am." She turned to say more but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Oh god." She squealed rushing into the bathroom and slamming the door shut.

Shawn shrugged and answered the door to reveal Matt.

"She's in the bathroom." Shawn replied, letting Matt in and lifting an eyebrow at the bouquet of flowers. Matt shrugged, seeing Shawn's look.

"I didn't know what to get."

"You didn't have to get me anything." Catelyn said, coming out of the bathroom.

Shawn heard Matt's intake of breath and he turned around to see Catelyn there, her dirty blonde hair hanging loose and wavy down her shoulders, her blue eyes large and sparkling as a small blush spread across her cheeks under their scrutiny.

"You look… wow." Was all Matt managed to get out.

Her blush deepened as she grabbed a sweater, putting it on over her light summer dress as she moved to take the flowers from him.

"you kids go on, I'll get these." Shawn said, grabbing the flowers.

She cocked her head to the side, a questioning look on her face but he waved them away.

"Have fun, and Hardy, don't keep her out too late, and be careful with her, and don't hurt her."

"Shawn, that's enough." She hissed, pushing Matt out the door and following after him.

"He seems very protective of you." Matt mused as they waited for the elevator.

Catelyn shrugged not quite meeting his eyes. "I didn't grow up with a father, perhaps he feels obligated. But thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful."

"You're welcome." Matt said with a smile. "I didn't know what your favorite flower was so I got an assortment."

She smiled back at him as they stepped into the elevator.

"So where are you taking me?"

"Well I was kind of hoping just to go back to my room and have sex again."

She looked at him, ready to go off on him until she saw the smile on his face.

"Catelyn, I'm kidding, I have dinner reservations for us we can have sex after."

She hit him in the shoulder but couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face, stepping ahead of him as the elevator opened.

"What?" Matt called after her, "That time I was serious."

"You just want me to rock your world again Hardy."

He shook his head as he caught up with her. "No, I'm pretty sure I was the one rocking your world."

"If you say so." She scoffed.

"Are you trying to tell me you've had better?" He teasingly asked.

She gave him a pointed look. "Matthew dear, I had no one to compare you with."

He stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw dropping as she left the lobby of the hotel. He quickly caught up to her as she stopped outside, gasping in disbelief.

"What is the meaning of this?" She asked, staring at their transportation.

He quickly regained his composure. "I thought tonight we could travel in style."

"Horse and carriage?" She asked in disbelief.

He grabbed her hand, leading her over and helping her in before getting in beside her.

"What did you mean?" He questioned quietly as the carriage started moving.

She looked at him in confusion before realization dawned on her. "exactly what you think."

"Then how could you- why would you- but then I'm- how old are you?"

She snickered at his flustered look. "I'm 21. I told you I was drunk. That's why I was avoiding you."

"Because you didn't want it to happen like that?" He asked, looking devastated at being the one who took away something that should've been special.

She patted his arm. "look, it's no big deal. It was fun, and you rocked my world, there I admitted it."

He sighed. "Yeah but it should've been special, with someone you love, or-"

She quieted him with a finger to his lips. "anyone ever tell you, you talk too much, and you think way too much. Stop it. I agreed to come out with you, I'm here now, so make the most of it. You only get this one chance."

"That's what you think." He muttered, sitting back.

She raised an eyebrow at him but said no more.

… … …

"Thanks I had a wonderful time." Catelyn softly said as she looked up at Matt.

He smiled down at her, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. "It wasn't so bad, was it?" he teasingly asked.

She giggled and shook her head. "I'll admit that you did surprise me tonight Matthew."

He made a face at the use of his full name which caused her to giggle some more.

Matt had taken her to a beautiful, albeit expensive restaurant, then after, took her through a ride in the park. He was wonderful, he made her laugh and he seemed to be honestly curious about her life and who she was, she told him how her father didn't even know he had a daughter as she had been the result of a one night stand. She told him what it was like growing up with a mother who couldn't care less about her and how she was always being shipped off to boarding school and summer camps, so her mom was a virtual stranger, one she didn't care for very much. In return, Matt told her what it was like losing his mom at an early age, leaving him and his younger brother alone with just their dad to raise them. The conversation flowed easy between them, and she wasn't lying when she said she had a wonderful time.

Matt leaned down, his lips mere centimeters from hers. "Can I see you again?" he whispered.

A shiver went up her spine as she reached up to meet him halfway, giving the barest of nods before their lips connected, sending a shock down both of them. When he pulled away, she slowly leaned back, her eyes still closed.

"carnations." She whispered.

"What?" He asked in confusion, trying to wrap his mind around the shock that went through him and trying to figure out if she had felt it as well.

"My favorite flower is carnations. I hate roses."

He blinked as she stepped back, putting the key card in the slot to open the door. With one last shy smile, she stepped through leaving him there in the hallway.

"Have a good time?"

She looked up, a dreamy expression on her face as she smiled at Shawn.

"Yes, yes I did."

"He's 10 years older than you."

She shrugged, moving across the room. "I still had fun. And age doesn't change who the person is or how you feel about them."

"And how do you feel?"

She paused, the smile creeping back onto her face. "I don't know, I think… I think I kind of like him. Is that wrong?"

Shawn looked surprised as she sat down on the couch beside him and looked at him… for guidance?

"There's a big age difference between Rebecca and I, that doesn't change the way I feel about her. Hardy is a good kid."

"He took me to a restaurant in a horse and carriage." She said with a smile, the need to tell someone overwhelming. "It was the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."

"Suave, he must really like you."

"You think? Wait why am I asking you?"

He steeled himself for her usual insults but instead she laughed and got up from the couch.

"Don't answer that, your opinion doesn't count."

"Why do you say that?" He asked, looking a little put out as she went towards the washroom. She almost appeared decent there for a few moments.

"Duh, cause you're the father, you're supposed to hate him and not want him to like me no matter what." She closed the door with a small giggle, leaving Shawn there with a small smile on his face

… … …

The next day, Catelyn had a riot as everywhere she went, there were carnations for her. When she woke up in the morning, there was one outside her door. When her and Shawn ordered breakfast, there was one on the tray. When she went out to the rental car, there was one on the windshield.

But it didn't stop there, a whole bouquet was waiting in Shawn's locker room when they arrived and she couldn't help but laugh as Shawn shook his head with a smile. Excusing herself at the earliest possible moment, she went off in search of the elder Hardy, coming across him in catering. She didn't say anything, just went up to him and grabbed him, pulling him down to her level and kissing him.

"I'm guessing your date went well." A voice teased behind them.

She broke away, smiling at the younger Hardy. "Who knew wrestlers could be so romantic."

"Wait, wait, let me hear that again." Jeff said, pretending to clean his ear out before cupping it, "What did you say my older brother was?"

"Romantic." She said with a laugh, shoving him back before turning back to Matt. "Thank you."

"For what?" He asked, feigning innocence.

"oh so you mean I have another secret admirer who knows what my favorite flower is?"

"It was me." Jeff said waving his hand.

"well darn," she turned from Matt, moving towards Jeff. "I guess I'm kissing the wrong brother."

Jeff held out his arms for her, but she was pulled back by two arms wrapping around her waist.

"I don't think so." Came the soft growl from Matt.

Jeff pouted at her. "Looks like my bro won't share."

Catelyn wrinkled her nose at him. "I should hope not, I don't like being shared."

"You hungry?" Matt asked, grabbing himself some food.

She shook her head, grabbing a bottle of water and following him to a table. "it was really sweet, what you did." She said as they sat down.

"Have you never been given flowers before?" He asked.

She shook her head, a blush appearing across her cheeks.

"I guess it's something you're going to have to get used to."

"You think? Didn't I say you only get one date?"

"oh, well I'll go see if Maria wants to go out with me."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't think so buddy, besides, she's dating Punk. She made sure I was very aware of that." She finished off with an eye roll.

Matt chuckled. "well hopefully now they'll leave you alone cause you're mine."

"Ya think so, huh?"

He gave her a confident smile. "I know so."

"We have a problem."

Catelyn looked up to see Shawn standing by them.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Shawn shot Matt an apologetic look and motioned Catelyn to follow him. She did, a confused expression on her face as she did so.

"I need to go home."

"and the problem is…?" She asked.

"You. I can't bring you back. I can't just show up with my assistant. It'll bring too many questions up."

Catelyn rolled her eyes, a scowl forming on her face. "You could always just tell her who I am."

"I can't."

"Whatever." She muttered, turning to leave. "Do what you have to I'll figure something out myself."

"Catelyn. I'm not done yet."

She ignored his calls, walking across the catering room and out the door, leaving a bewildered looking Matt at her sudden mood change.

"What happened?" He asked as Shawn walked by.

"Don't worry about it." Shawn said, following after the young woman.

… … …

"You can't be serious."

"You keep saying that to me, no matter how many times I tell you I'm completely serious."

Catelyn glared at him. "I could've gone with Matt."

He glared back. "No you couldn't have. You don't know him that well."

"And I know this guy? All I get is you used to work with him. Used to. Who's to say he hasn't turned into some psychopath since then?"

Shawn sighed, rubbing his temples. "He was my partner back in the day. We traveled together, he knew your mom too."

Catelyn stopped. "He did. Do they still talk? Do I know him?"

"No when I called him about you, he says they lost touch not long after me and her-" he stopped, running a hand over his face.

"He knows about me?" she quietly asked.

He nodded. "I had to know if he knew about Elizabeth having a kid or not. He didn't know either."

He stepped out of the car and grabbed Catelyn's bag. "He said it was the 2nd house in."

He frowned down at the address then looked at the house. "This isn't the right address." He glanced over at the house beside them. "nor is that one."

"But this one is."

The two looked around, trying to find out where the voice was coming from. Catelyn finally looked up, letting out a laugh when she did. Shawn followed her gaze, breaking out into a big grin.

"I know you always said you wanted a tree house but man, I didn't know you were serious."

"You'll have to use the ladder, I'm getting stairs installed."

Shawn motioned Catelyn up first who climbed up the ladder, entering on to the porch.

"Is this a real house?" She asked in awe.

"Yup. Apparently they are really popular in Oregon. It has everything you need it just looks like it was placed in a tree. It is kind of a beyotch to get cable and stuff installed though. They can't grasp the concept of me living in a tree."

Shawn stepped onto the porch and the two men embraced.

"Catelyn, I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Marty Jannetty."