CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Raine wound up thinking all night about what Mark had said, deep down knowing he was right. She had hardly heard Stephanie tell her she would have her final line the next night, knowing she had three weeks till her imminent retirement.

Retirement. The thought almost made her cry. Especially since she had just gotten off the ground. Really, truly started making a name for herself after everything that had happened at the beginning of her volatile career. What career? She was a joke.

She was quiet until they reached the hotel, waiting patiently for the privacy of the suite to talk to Shane. "I really love wrestling, Shane." She began slowly. "I think I could do really well at it. Shawn and Mark both think so too." She would also assume Paul did considering how vocal he had been about the situation, not to mention the bruise on Shane's left cheekbone.

"Rai, I don't want to discuss it right now." Shane growled, annoyance creeping over him. His cheek stung, throbbing when he gingerly touched it. Kicking aside her bag, he stormed into the bathroom to survey the damage. "I told you, I want a woman, not a wrestler at my side." He said, gently poking the swollen area around the cut. "You don't need the ring, sweetheart, you're too fragile." When he seen her move behind him, her reflection in the mirror clearly telling him she didn't agree, Shane sighed, turning around to place his hands on her shoulders. "Please, do this for me. Stand by me, safe and sound. I don't want to see you get hurt anymore."

All she could was nod helplessly, getting lost in those brown eyes.

***

"You're going to put her back in the ring with David." Paul echoed, listening to his wife explain the madness behind her logic with wide eyes.

Okay, he got that Raine would enjoy the revenge, providing she didn't get jumped in the hallway beforehand. He also got the fact that given the pair's history, it only made sense for Raine to end her career with him as her final opponent.

"Make sure he knows better than to harm her outside of the ring." Was all he could say afterwards, shrugging. Maybe this would inject a backbone in Raine, remind her why she had become a wrestler in the first place.

***

To say Shane wasn't happy with his sister was an understatement, no matter how much sense she made. "Are you out of your mind? He's the reason she's quitting!"

"No, you are. Besides, that's not the point, Shane. Look, Raine is a wrestler and whether you like it or not, at the next pay-per-view, in her retirement match she will be facing Batista, one on one, in a cage match." Stephanie's tone was final, her blue eyes daring him to contradict her.

"WHAT?"

Raine stood beside him, Glenn off to her side, glad they were at the arena because it was large enough for her to slip away without being noticed. Though… She was sticking around for this. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her blue jeans, having staunchly refused to wear a damn dress. She had flat out told him she was there to work for the next three weeks, not play dress up.

"And she'll be in a tag team match with Glenn tonight." Paul added with a smirk.

"No! I won't have it!"

"Son, you really don't have a say in the matter." Glenn put in, nodding at Stephanie and Paul. So much for Shane's authority.

"Shane, Rai is going to be fine, alright?" Steph sighed, not understanding her brother sometimes. "I still don't know what the big deal is about her being a wrestler. You should love a person for who they are and stick by them in whatever they do."

"Sorry, but I deserve better than having a wrestler as my future wife."

Water shot out of Glenn's nose, the bottle dropping from his hand. "FUCK!"

"Excuse me?" Raine said quietly, her eyes flashing a dangerous color.

Glenn and Paul exchanged smirks.

"You sayin' I'm not good enough for you?" She listened to him try to take back his words. "Maybe YOU'RE not good enough for ME. Think about that, Shane." Raine pushed past him, trying not to cry.

Groaning, Shane shot his sister a 'back off' look before chasing after his girlfriend. "Raine," He caught her by the arm, turning her around. "Raine, that's not what I meant- OOMPH!" The air was knocked from him when she punched him in the gut, falling back onto his ass.

All he could do was try to breathe and watch her walk away.

***

John Cena, what were they thinking? Mark shook his head, wondering if the kid had done something to piss Stephanie off because this was going to be brutal. He was wrapping his hands, preparing for his match when the door opened. Glancing over his shoulder, he was more than a little surprised to see Raine there. "You alright?"

She nodded, looking red around the eyes. "I wanted to ask ya a favor. I know I don't really have the right but… I want you to teach me how to box, the way you do, I mean. Shawn's taught me some but…" She wanted to know how to throw a punch that'd cause serious pain, the way she knew Mark could. For use on David. And Shane if he ever said that shit to her again.

Worthless, indeed!

He had to consider that for a moment, a slow eyebrow raising. This was definitely an odd moment. Raine was here, asking him for help. Satan must've been enjoying ice skating because it seemed Hell had been froze over for awhile now. "Sure darlin', I could show a few things." Ripping tape with his teeth, flexed his hand, nodding and stooped down to pull two bottles of water from a small cooler, tossing her one. There were a lot of things he wanted to say to her, very few of them things she'd want to hear. Sighing, he dropped down on the bench, leaning back against the wall to just stare at her. "Do you honestly want to stop wrestling'?" He asked bluntly. "Do you really want to give up what means the most to ya, Rai?"

She sipped the water to buy herself some time, frowning slightly. "It's complicated, Mark." She said finally, wondering why there were even discussing this. It wasn't like they had a solid history together, more like seriously shaky. Damaged. "He was my first love." Raine admitted unexpectedly, looking anywhere but at him. "I've loved him since I was sixteen and if giving this up means keeping him, then I'll do it."

Silence reigned as Mark digested that. It was impossible to miss that there was a past between Shane and Raine, as much as he would have liked to remain oblivious. "Well, that's your decision darlin'." He was tempted to add a little bit more but the realization that he was beginning to sound an awful lot like Stephanie crossed him, instantly disgusting him. "You just let me know when you want to start trainin."

They were friends, that was it. And even that was shaky. He had sworn up and down he was done with her when it came to anything but a professional relationship. So why was he agreeing to do this again? Oh yeah, because technically it counted as work related, right? Right. Though he couldn't stop himself from wondering how she could fall in love with a worm like Shane McMahon.

Then Mark had to mentally shake himself. He knew better you couldn't help who you fell in love with. Even if it was some young punk kid who enjoyed ripping hearts to shreds. But he was digressing…

"Tomorrow? This time I promise to show up." Rai smiled, draining the water and throwing the empty bottle away. "Thanks Mark." She patted his forearm on her way out the door. It was more than disconcerting to find she felt comfortable talking to him, of course she'd regret it when he inevitably ran his mouth but she'd deal with that when it happened.

***

"You've got A LOT of explaining to do." Shane stated gravely when his girlfriend decided to finally show up, snorting as he took her in and rolled his eyes. Honestly, why couldn't she see he only wanted what was best for her? Because she was as stubborn as her dad with a punch to match. "You hit me for NO reason, Raine. You need to apologize to me." It was an order.

Raine studied him thoughtfully, arms folded over her chest with narrowed eyes. "No."

"I didn't mean what I said, Rai, but at the same time I refuse to be with the hired help. That's how it is. Now apologize."

"No, I won't apologize." Her dander was up now, mouth turning downwards into a frown. "You were fine with me being a wrestler and then suddenly it changed. you basically made me feel like shit in front of everyone. I'm giving it up for ya, Shane, but I'm NOT giving you an apology for punching you because honestly, I'm not sorry. Deal with it."

"Fair enough." It was growled response. Shaking his head, Shane bent over his work, shifting through various documents. Ultimately, he'd get what he wanted and that was Raine out of the ring forever. He was serious when he had said he wanted to marry her, after his divorce was finalized of course. Hiding a groan, he reached under the desk to feel the bruise on his abdomen. Raine had one hell of a hook.

She lingered with him, passing the time until her and Glenn's match with warming up. Ignoring Shane's pointed look as she began doing jumping jacks, staring straight ahead. "Oh yeah…" Raine dropped down into a chair, pulling her bag between her feet. "Just so you know Mark is gonna be helpin' me with some boxin' for my match with Bautista." She tried keeping her tone casual, already knowing this wasn't going to go down so well.

Shane stared at her, disbelief in his eyes. For a moment he was distracted as she began peeling off her street clothes, snorting when he seen she was wearing her wrestling gear underneath. He'd never admit it to her but the black shorts and matching halter top looked sexy, now if only she hadn't added the damn wrestling boots.

When she looked at him, he snapped out of it. "Excuse me? No, have Paul or Shawn do it." There was NO way he was letting Mark get anywhere near her. "Rai, remember what he did to you, sweetheart Do you honestly want to deal with him anymore then you have too?" It was obvious she was ignoring him, watching as she began hopping from one foot to the other, groaning. Soon this would all end and she'd be sitting on his lap while he worked, keeping him company, staying where she belonged. At his side and out of the ring. "Raine, honey, think about it…"

"Shawn and Paul would be happy to do it," Raine said finally, giving him a pointed stare. "But then they'd also try to talk me out of walking away from my career."

He had to give her that.

"Besides, what's done is done between me and Mark. He knows I don't have any feelings for him besides respect for him as an athlete. That and he's the best, even you can't deny it."

"Fine, but keep the sessions short. I don't want him poisoning you against me like everyone else seems to be trying to do." Standing up from his chair, Shane walked around to her, gently pulling her into his arms. "How bout a pre-match warm up of our own?" He whispered huskily in her ear, smirking when she shived.

"Hmmm…" Raine was already melting against him, groaning when she heard Glenn hollering through the door. "Sorry baby, it's time for my match now." She quickly kissed him before running out the door.

"God damn it."

***

Glenn smiled when he seen the fire in Raine's eyes, knowing this was what she was meant to do. Shane was taking that away from her and as her on-screen boyfriend, that just pissed him off. "Let's go show your boy that you do belong here." He whispered in her just before his pyros went off, stalking through the curtain with her at his side.

Together they headed down the ramp and slid into the ring. Glenn waited until she had taken her stance in the corner before raising his hands up and then brought them down, fire exploding from all four ring posts. Smiling wickedly, he backed up to join her.

They would be facing Beth and David, again, in a non title rematch. There was no point in fighting for the titles if Raine wouldn't be sticking around to help defend them. Raine had noticed during her short tenure in the Fed, she had mainly squared off with David. Hmm.

She knew from their old storyline she was portrayed as both his partner and girlfriend due to their one time feud with the Undertaker. That line had been meant to piss 'Taker off only it had never went anywhere due to conflicting interests. Such as David blackmailing her, then her immediate time off.

Then there was the added bonus of annoying Shane by playing within the confines of said storyline. Smirking, she wrapped her arm around Glenn's waist, feeling his own automatically pulling her into him. She could hear his low chuckle and stifled one herself.

"You're evil." Glenn murmured, bending down so she could hear him over the now blasting Saliva. "Show me you still got it." He said, slapping her ass as he slipped through the ropes, smirking when her green eyes flashed at him. "You know you love it." It would be her starting off against David and he was fine with it, he knew she could handle herself.

He hoped.

"Hey baby, miss me?" David smirked, standing across from Raine, brown eyes evil. "You know, this could have been avoided, Rai Rai."

"I'm not your slut." She shot back sarcastically, a warning in her tone.

"You were for that night. Mmm…"

"Tell you what," They were face to face now. "If you can somehow manage to pin me, you can have me. This time sober and very willing, how's that sound?" Raine almost gagged at the sudden look on his face, knowing that wasn't a challenge he was about to pass up.

The two locked up in the middle of the ring, Raine struggling not to be forced back, gritting her teeth. She hadn't meant a word she said, she just wanted to provoke him into making a mistake. Which came when he went for a bear hug. Pressing herself against him, Rai snickered when he groaned. Damn fool.

David groaned when he bent down for who even knew what only to get her head smashing into his, reeling backwards. "Son of a bitch!"

"Almost doesn't count!"

Glenn was enjoying this immensely, loving how Raine was using mind games to take advantage. His grin grew even broader when she shoved David back to him, wrapping an arm around the other man's throat. "Boy, you are in a world of trouble now." He hissed, choking Bautista up until the referee began a count. Sighing, he shoved David back into Raine's more then willing hands, watching as she clotheslined him to the mat. "Damn."

Groaning, David began getting to his feet, only to wind up with her boot in his face. He couldn't lose, not again and not to this whore! "Fuck this!" He grunted, grabbing her about the waist.

"COME ON RAINE!" Glenn bellowed after seeing her getting her ass spinebustered to the canvas, slapping the turnbuckle repeatedly. David had dropped again, shaking the stars from his vision but it wasn't the Animal he was concerned with, even though the shit was crawling towards Beth. "Get up!"

Immediately, Raine sat up, pain was nothing to her right now. She needed to prove to herself that she did belong here, that Mark was right. It was making yourself believe. Maybe Shane would see how much she loved what she did and be inclined to agree. She grabbed Dave by his ankle with both hands and dragged him back from Beth, her face going red from the effort. "You're my bitch tonight, darlin'." She snarled, dropping an elbow in the middle of his back.

Beth had watched all this with wide eyes, not believing her partner who was a big, strong man was getting his ass handed to him like this by a woman! She felt a flush of pride for her gender, mentally cheering Raine on but… Raine wasn't her partner. She started slipping through the ropes.

At that point, Glenn decided to get his own hands dirty. He jumped down from the apron and stalked around the ring, grabbing Beth by her legs. Beth dropped face first to the mat, clawing at the canvas as she was dragged outside.

Raine nodded, knowing Glenn would keep Beth out of her way. Her attention remained on David, who was currently lying on his back, staring at the ceiling like he wasn't even in his body. Probably mentally telling himself he was lying on a beach somewhere and NOT getting his ass kicked. Chuckling under her breath, she tossed herself into the ropes, rebounding and doing a baseball slide right between his spread legs.

She was instantly disqualified.

Raine was laughing her ass off as the referee pulled her away.

Glenn was laughing as well, not caring they were just disqualified. The simple sight of David rolling onto his stomach and holding himself, face contorted in pain had just made Glenn's night. Grinning like a maniac, he stepped back into the ring, ignoring the camera that was right in his face.

Raine almost yelped when Glenn hoisted him into his arms, locking her legs around his waist, her head turning upwards to meet his lips.

Smirking, he let her slide down his body after breaking the kiss, guiding her out of the ring.

If Raine had been even remotely interested in Glenn, she might've jumped him for that. He was a damned good kisser, not that she'd tell him because he was arrogant enough. She smirked, halting on the stage to spin around and glare at David and Beth, sliding her thumb across her throat. She had the rest of these three weeks to make their lives hell and she was going to enjoy it.