Chapter 60

Shane had left the park just in time. As he had turned off the street he saw several dark sedans with their lights flashing heading towards the park. That damn old couple, he thought to himself. He knew they had been watching him. To give Jessica the time she had wanted to prepare, Shane had gotten a motel room to pass the time. He didn't want to stay out in public for fear of being caught.

He had spent the better part of his time lounging around the room, watching TV. He had been trying to take a nap when the news report came on and he saw an image of Jeff Hardy walking around the park with his sister. Just seeing his face angered him. He listened as the reporter talked about Jeff, how he had checked himself out of the hospital to aid in the search.

"Our hero." Shane said sarcastically, shutting off the television but the image of Jeff in the park stayed in his mind. He was getting close, Shane thought to himself. He needed to make sure that they didn't find her. Against his better judgment, Shane grabbed his keys and headed out to the car. He still had a few hours to spare, so he might as well make them productive. When he got to the park, he pulled his gun out of the glove compartment and then headed to the path. He walked around for awhile, his fist clenched on the gun in his coat pocket, but he did not see Jeff.

He felt eyes on him and turned to see an old couple, sitting on a bench. They turned to one another and the woman whispered something to the man. Not wasting anytime, Shane moved away from them and stepped of the path. Glancing back at the couple, he saw that they had not moved. He searched the park for a few more minutes and then not wanting to chance it any further, went back to the car. He was angry that he had not seen Jeff. With just one shot, Jeff could have been gone from their lives for good.

But at least he had gotten away. As he headed back to the motel, he thought of Jessica and his angered melted away. It didn't matter that Jeff was here, he was too late anyway. She was Shane's, she had told him so. Right now she was preparing the night he had dreamed of and he had better get ready for it as well.

When he got back to his room, he pulled out his suit and began to get dressed, all the while thinking about his future with Jessica. Soon they'd be far away for here, living out the life they had been cheated of. He had already made the arrangement and they would leave as soon as possible. Although he was disappointed that they couldn't stay in the home he had built, they would have to do whatever it took to stay together.

Glancing at his watch, he could barely contain his excitement. It was time. He took one last look in the mirror before leaving the room. He drove carefully, keeping an eye out for any signs of the police. Shane let out a sigh of relief as he pulled into the driveway. He reached in the back and pulled out the flowers he had picked up earlier before letting himself into the house.

"Are those for me?" Jessica asked walking over with a huge smile. He leaned down to give her a kiss before handing her the bouquet.

"Who else would they be for?" He teased and watched her walk away to the kitchen for the vase. When she walked back in Shane couldn't help but admire how she looked.

"Do you like it?" She turned to model her outfit.

"You are beautiful." He said not wanting to look away.

"Well, come sit down. Dinner is ready." He followed her over to the table, where she handed him a glass of champagne. "But, first a toast. To our future." She clicked her glass against his before taking a large gulp and watching Shane do the same.

"Mmm, this is good."

"You have good taste." She told him then gestured for him to sit. She brought the salad out from the kitchen and topped off his glass before sitting down herself. "So what did you while you were out?" She took another sip, hoping he would do the same but Shane started to eat the salad instead.

"Not much. I picked up the flowers and then just sat around and waited."

"I hope you weren't too bored."

"I kept myself busy." He told her and sipped from his glass. Jessica kept the idle chatter going until they had both finished their salads.

"Time for the main course." She stood up and Shane did as well.

"Let me help you." He told her grabbing his plate.

"No, you just sit there. Enjoy the champagne and I'll be right back." He ignored her and followed her into the kitchen to watch her plate the meal. She was thankful that she had decided to place the pill in his meal instead of his drink, since it was obvious that Shane wasn't going to let her out of his sight. She handed him his plate and they went back to the table.

"I hope you like it. I worked really hard on it."

"I'm sure it will be great." He reassured her cutting into the meat. She watched as Shane took his first bite. She had been worried the drugs might give off a bad after taste but judging by the look on his face everything was fine. He looked up and noticed her watching him. "Are you okay?"

"I am. I just wanted you to have the first bite." She picked up her glass. "To our first real meal," Their glasses clicked and they both took a drink.

They continued with their meal, talking about different things they had done growing up. Jessica used every opportunity to get him to drink, as she kept refilling his glass. Before long the bottle was empty.

"Well, I guess we're done with all our toasting." He smiled at her.

"That's okay. We still have the vodka. I'll go get it." She started to get up.

"No, sit, maybe later," He told her and she sat back down disappointed. She wasn't sure if Shane had drunk enough. Jessica had spent the time pretending to sip as much as possible being cautious of just how much alcohol she consumed herself. She wanted Shane wasted, not her. After finishing the meal, Shane stood up and brought the dishes into the kitchen.

"Ready for desert?" She asked him.

"In a little bit. I'm stuffed already." He sat down on the couch and gestured for her to come over. She took a good look at him and started to worry. So far he hasn't shown any signs of being tired even though he had drank most of the bottle. If this was going to work she would need him to drink more. Not knowing what else to do she obliged and sat next to him. He pulled her closer wrapping his arms around her.

"This is good." He told her kissing the top of her head. "Its how I always pictured it; just you and I sitting here without a care in the world."

"Except each other," she whispered.

"Right, just us. I'm going to keep you safe, you know that right. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

"I know and I do feel safe here." She told him turning her head to face him. He kissed her again this time more urgently.

"Let's go upstairs." He smiled. She pulled herself away.

"Not yet, it's still early." She looked around the room trying to come up with something for them to do instead. "Let's dance."

Jessica jumped up and went over to the CD player. She turned it on and waited for the music to start before pulling him off the couch and closer to her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she was able to buy some more time as Shane contently rocked her back and forth. With in time his hands started to roam and he again pushed his lips against hers. She kissed him back as passionately as she could but the panic in her continued to build. She knew what Shane wanted. When he pulled away she wiped her lips.

"Wow, after that, I could use a drink." She went back to the kitchen and brought out the vodka and two glasses. She poured a little in each glass and handed Shane one. He placed it down on the table. "What's this? Shane McMahon is going soft on me? I never knew you to turn down a drink."

"I don't want anything to distract me from our evening. I want to remember everything."

"Come on, Shane. You and I can't have a night out together without at least a few shots. It's tradition." She handed him his glass again and then clicked it against her own. He relented and drank it all again. She rent to refill it.

"You know I think you're trying to get me drunk." He teased him.

"So I can have my way with you." She said seductively kissing his neck.

"Well then, pour me another." He laughed. Jessica convinced him to take several more shots with her as they danced and talked around the room. Finally, Jessica noticed Shane stumbling a bit and his speech was started to slur. Thank god, she thought to herself because she wasn't sure how much more she would be able to drink. She was already feeling slightly buzzed but not enough that it should bother her.

The only problem was that so far the pills and the alcohol hadn't kicked in enough to get Shane to pass out and she was running out of things for them to do. Not to mention that as time passed, Shane's hands became more roaming and much more forceful.

"Come on, let's go." He took her hand and began to pull her to towards the bedroom.

"Wait, not yet. What about dessert? I made your favorite." She headed for the kitchen but he pulled her closer to him.

"We can have it for breakfast." He told her with a wicked grin.

"It won't taste as good." She pulled away from him and this time she did make it to the kitchen but Shane came up from behind her and scooped her up in his arms.

"It will be even better." He pressed his mouth against her forcefully. Then gripping her strongly, he carried her out of the kitchen. Jessica was running out of ideas, and couldn't get out of Shane's grasp. She needed a new plan, and fast.