Title: Daddy Dearest 10?

… … …

Catelyn watched Shawn pace their hotel room as she sat on the bed, waiting for Matt to pick her up for their date tonight. Although he wanted to cancel because of the goose egg on her head, she had told him no, she still wanted to go. She was especially glad she hadn't turned him down now, Shawn was wound tighter than a spring at the moment.

"Shawn?" She whispered, trying to catch his attention. He ignored her and she called his name a little louder but to no avail.

"Dad." She finally called, stopping him in his tracks. He turned to look at her but the scowl she often associated with him whenever she reminded him of who he was, wasn't there. Instead, he had a half smile on his face.

"I don't want you to lose your title shot." She said with a frown on her face. Now while wrestling still remained a complete mystery to her, she understood that the belt he was currently in contention for was important, and for him to have another title run meant the world to him.

He sighed and sat down beside her, a sad smile now on his face. "I know sweetie, but there is no way I'm putting you out there. There will be other chances, I won't risk you for that."

She sighed. "Jeff showed me what a lingerie pillow fight was. Their outfits leave something to be desired but there isn't a lot of wrestling."

"What are you saying?" he asked, eying her suspiciously.

"I'm saying I'm trying to find a way out of this and I have 3 weeks to do it but just in case, I won't let you give up your title shot. I'll go out there."

"Not like that you won't" he said with a snort.

"I can pick my own lingerie right? I'll get something that doesn't look so trashy."

"You'd do that for me?" he asked, disbelief in his eyes.

"Why not?" She asked, looking down at her hands in her lap. "You may not have wanted me here but you still kept me around when I had nowhere to go. You looked after me and you looked out for me. You're losing your title shot because of me, I can't let that happen."

He cupped her cheek, forcing her to look up at him. "baby girl, listen to me. What you're offering to do, that means a lot to me that you would do something that I know is screaming not to inside you. We started off rocky and I know we have a lot to work out, but this isn't something you have to do. I'll get another shot."

She gave him a sad smile. "I know I don't have to but I think… I think I can do it, just this once, if you help me."

He looked at her long and hard. "are you sure?"

She hesitantly nodded.

"Then I'll help you anyway I can. Starting with finding something appropriate, past your knees, preferably long sleeve. You think we can get by with pajama bottoms?"

She laughed, shoving him in the shoulder and Shawn couldn't help but smile at the sound.

"I found the perfect outfit for you." Matt exclaimed as soon as she opened the door.

"Excuse me?"

"For your lingerie pillow fight, I found the perfect outfit."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like this?"

"Like what?" Shawn asked, appearing behind her.

"Matt claims to have found the perfect outfit for my match." She stopped and wrinkled her nose. "and did I just say my match? As in me? This is too wiggy even for me."

Shawn shook his head at her mini babble. "Something tells me I'm not going to like this outfit either."

"it's perfect." Matt exclaimed, pulling out the outfit from behind his back and holding it out for them.

Catelyn's eyes widened in horror as she stared at the offending article before grabbing it and pulling it out of Matt's grasp. "no way, no how."

"Why not? It's perfect."

She held it up again and turned to face Shawn. "you can't be serious, there is no way in hell I'm going out there dressed like this, I'd rather die first. You can't approve of this."

His lips twitched as he looked at. "actually I think it's quite perfect."

She threw it at him in disgust. "you both sicken me."

"What's wrong with it?" Matt asked.

She turned and glared at him. "there is no way in hell I am going out there in feetie pajamas you jackass."

"You'll look absolutely adorable."

"I'll be totally humiliated."

"But you'll be covered." They both countered in unison.

She shook her head in disgust. "I hate you both."

… … …

"You don't really hate me do you?" Matt asked, later that night.

They just had another date and were now in his room, the TV on as they lay in his bed, watching a movie.

She shook her head, snuggling in closer to him. "Would I be doing this if I did?"

He chuckled "I know, I just wanted to hear you say it. So how did Shawn talk you into doing it anyways?"

"He didn't, I volunteered."

Matt pulled back and looked down at his girlfriend, confusion in his eyes. "Catelyn, you hate wrestling, and you have stage fright, why would you willingly go back out there?"

"I don't want him to lose his title shot." She whispered, not meeting his eyes.

He knew there was something more. Catelyn knew that he knew. She sighed and looked away. It had been bugging her ever since their first date. Catelyn had always despised lying and the fact that she was lying to virtually everyone as to who she really was annoyed her to no end. She figured if anyone had the right to know, it would at least be Matt. She knew without a doubt that she could trust him. Despite her not wanting to start anything, despite her wanting to stay far away, he got to her. Matt Hardy had gotten to her and she was falling for him faster than a ton of bricks. How did she know that? Easy, she was getting all cheesy about it in her head. Case in point, who falls like a ton of bricks anymore?

"Catelyn?" Matt softly called, lifting her chin to meet his gaze.

Looking into his eyes sealed the deal; she sat up, pulling her knees to her chest.

"Remember our first date when I told you I was the result of a one night stand and my father never knew I existed."

He nodded. "Yes, you also said before that Shawn knew and looked out for you like a father did."

"Exactly."

"What?" He asked confused.

She took a deep calming breath. "look no one knows, and you're the first person besides Shawn I'm telling. You can't tell anyone, not even Jeff, because if this gets out, Shawn is done for."

His eyes widened in surprise. "are you telling me-?"

She nodded.

"He really is-?

"Yup."

"How come no one knew?"

"He didn't even know, I didn't know until a couple days before my mother shipped me off here. She said she couldn't handle me so she got in touch with my father. She knew all along who he was and I was so pissed that she never told me. Naturally I was curious so I hopped on the plane; ready to meet Shawn, my dad, except mother still wasn't completely truthful with me. She never told Shawn I was coming. He had no clue who I was but as soon as I mentioned my mothers name, he knew who she was and confirmed the one nighter. We made a deal, he would give me somewhere to work, let me earn my own money, get to know each other while we tried to figure it out."

He was silent for a few moments as he stared at her, finally he slowly shook his head before speaking. "How are you guys so sure, did you get a paternity test?"

"We don't want it getting out, he still hasn't told his wife, he doesn't know how to but look at us. Marty saw it and now we both see it. I'm his."

Matt looked hard at all her features before slowly nodding. "You do look like him."

"I know." She quietly replied.

"Holy crap." He cried, sitting up and grabbing her jacket.

"What?" she asked panicked.

"We have to get you back. Your father will kill me."

She laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling him back onto the bed with her, she kissed him.

"Don't worry, I told him not to bother waiting up."

"You know, that was fine when I thought he was just your employer, but your dad can kick my ass."

She giggled, pulling him in for another kiss, her hands tangling in his hair. "Relax baby, I'm a big girl, Shawn gets that, we're trying to fall into this whole father daughter thing and it's bumpy but we're getting by. I'm also 21 and actually, I have my own room again."

"So he has no clue you're here."

She grinned up at him as his lips descended upon hers. "Not a clue."

… … …

"Ashley is not going to expect you to know any wrestling moves so now we have to catch her off guard." Shawn explained as they stood in the middle of the ring. Catelyn listened to him, nervous, her arms crossed over her chest as she tapped out an impatient rhythm on her arm. Matt stood against the ropes, volunteering to help the Heartbreak kid, train his daughter.

"So instead of this little pillow fight she's going to try and wrestle me?" She nervously asked.

"That would imply that Ashley knows how to wrestle." Matt muttered.

Catelyn turned to him, confused. "But she's a wrestler so wouldn't she know how to wrestle?"

"Wrong, she's a Diva. That doesn't make her a wrestler. Trish, Melina, Mickie, hell, Lita-" She noticed the way he winced when he said the last name and filed that away for later. "-they are wrestlers, them and a handful of other Divas actually can wrestle. The rest are here on default from some lame contest that Vince put on to hire scantily clad woman."

"And that's where Ashley came from."

"She won it a few years ago, back when she was actually decent."

"And not crazy?" Catelyn muttered.

"So we need to teach you how to take a proper bump." Shawn interrupted.

"A proper what?"

Shawn and Matt exchanged a look; this was going to take a while.

"A proper fall so you don't hurt yourself so much, and some basic moves and counter moves. Do you know how far along Ashley is in her training?" Shawn asked Matt

"I doubt she did anything while suspended."

"Good."

Calling Catelyn over he went through all the motions of taking a proper bump, demonstrating on Matt and doing it himself before letting her try. When she was ready and Shawn gave her a light clothesline so she would fall back properly, she did so, but then grabbed her head in pain.

"You need to tuck your chin." Shawn gently reminded her. He expected her to give up or to whine and complain but then he saw the stubborn set to her jaw, and the steely look in her eyes as she stood up and readied herself again.

Any doubts he had left about who she really was were gone out the window after that, but damn if she didn't look just like him when he was determined and stubborn to do something.

"Wow." Matt said, also seeing the look on Catelyn's face. Ever since she told him, he was more aware of the qualities father and daughter both shared. He was beginning to wonder how he didn't notice it before.

"What?" Shawn asked, wondering if Matt saw it.

Catelyn rolled her eyes, "He's been doing that for the past few days, just ignore it."

"Doing what?" Shawn asked.

"Noticing how alike we are. I kinda told him who I am, who you are. I hate lying to everyone and I can't lie to him."

Shawn sighed, he hated lying, knew she did too, and if she was able to tell Hardy then the smart thing to do would be to tell his wife. There was no denying who she really was and he couldn't be mad at her for saying something.

"are you mad?"

He didn't answer as he stared at her, wondering just how he was going to bring this up to his wife. 'Hey honey, meet Catelyn, she's actually my daughter from a one night stand 21 years ago. She's going to live with us now, okay?' Yup that would work out so well.

"Shawn…? Hello….? Dad?"

Again, that word was the one to snap him out of his thoughts as he looked at her and smiled. "Oddly enough, I think I'm getting used to you saying that."

She smiled back and took up her spot again as Shawn continued to teach her the basics. Matt stood back and watched the two. If Catelyn really was a Michaels, there was a good chance she would be able to hold her own against Ashley. Especially if Shawn Michaels talent had passed on to his daughter.

… … …

"Who's Lita?"

Shawn frowned and turned from his suitcase. "Who told you about her?"

"Matt said her name when you were teaching me earlier."

"She was a wrestler here."

Catelyn frowned. "Is that it? What did she do to Matt?"

Shawn sighed and sat down across from her. "This is something you should be talking to him about."

"I just want to make sure I'm not treading on something I shouldn't be. The way he reacted when he said her name… Did they used to date?"

Shawn looked uncomfortable. "Yes, but you really need to talk to him about this."

Catelyn nodded and stood up, "I'm going to find him."

She went to leave but turned back, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you for trying to teach me."

He put an arm around her. "you're doing just fine, you'll be just fine. Be careful okay?"

She nodded and he placed a kiss on her forehead, smoothing down some of her hair. Somewhere along the line, something had changed between them. To him, she was no longer a spoiled little brat with an attitude and a chip the size of the Grand Canyon on her shoulder. She had wormed her way into his heart and he was glad to think of her as his. Despite who her mother was, she had grown up into a beautiful young woman with a strong head on her shoulders.

Catelyn smiled back and placed a kiss on his cheek before leaving. They no longer regarded the other with distrust. Although she was still bitter for how her Mother had done it, she was happy she came and that she met her real father. Already she felt closer to him than she ever did her own mother. Not to mention if she hadn't come here, she would never have met Matt.

"I'll see you later." She left the room in search of Matt's, turning a corner, she came face to face with Edge.

"Oh look, it's the girl who called wrestling stupid and aren't you in your very own match now?"

She rolled her eyes. "Excuse me, I have somewhere better to be." She pushed past him and he grabbed her arm.

"What, you don't want to talk to me?"

"Not particularly."

"Maybe I want to talk to you."

She yanked her arm back and glared at him. "And I don't want to talk to you so leave me alone."

His eyes narrowed at her. "You're not being very nice."

"Why should I be? Weren't you involved in the little set up that had Melina attacking me? That kinda makes me want to punch you in the throat."

He smirked. "Oh so the little one has a match, a lingerie pillow fight of all things and now she thinks she's a big bad wrestler."

"Match or not, I'd still want to punch you in the throat, now leave me alone."

He grabbed her arm again and shoved her back. She hit the wall and he stepped closer. "Maybe I don't want to."

Catelyn looked up at him, her eyes widening in fear as she stared at him, but his smile only grew, taking great delight in her discomfort and fear.

"Please." She whispered, her voice sounding pitiful, even to her own ears.

"I don't feel so good." She tried to stand but stumbled up against whoever was beside her.

"Here, take this, and I promise you won't feel anything soon."

A drink was placed into her hands and someone was helping her lift it to her mouth. She drank and the cup was taken away. She took a step and collapsed but then arms were lifting her up and her head fell back and she was unable to open her eyes to see who it was.

"Looks like she had too much to drink. We'll take her home."

Somewhere along the fuzzy contours of her mind, she knew there hadn't been that much to drink. She should've been able to walk just fine.

"Is she out?" Another voice asked.

"Enough so she doesn't scream or fight."

"I don't want her remembering any of this."

"Don't worry, she won't."

"Please." She whispered.

"Please what, please more?" Edge asked.

Catelyn returned to the present, a tear trickling down her cheek. She shook her head. "Leave me alone."

A hand came up and caressed her cheek. "Catelyn I wouldn't actually hurt you, are you okay?"

Why he was being nice, he didn't know, but something just happened to the girl, enough to spook him and even make him concerned.

Catelyn shook her head, bringing her hands up to cover her face.

"Can't you ever just keep it in your pants, man?"

She groaned, knowing that voice and not wanting him to see her like this.

Edge turned around, stepping in front of her. "Afraid you're just second best man?"

"Stop it." Came Catelyn's pitiful cry but she went unheard by the two men in front of her.

"What is your problem with stealing my women?" Matt yelled.

"Obviously you're not doing something right if they can be so easily persuaded." Edge sneered back.

"Enough." Catelyn finally cried, lowering her hands.

Immediately she saw the apologetic look on Matt's face when he saw her tears, but once again it turned to anger as he turned back to Edge.

"What the fuck did you do to her?"

"He did nothing, it was nothing." Catelyn said, grabbing his arm and pushing him away.

"Then why are you crying?"

"The match, I was nervous about that, he was making sure I was okay."

As she pushed Matt down the hall, she looked back at Edge, a pleading look in her eyes. His own narrowed as he watched her walk away, wondering what exactly had spooked her so much. He knew it had more to do than him and for some reason he was determined to find out what it was exactly.