DISCLAIMER: As much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I do not own anyone or anything connected to Vince McMahon and his awesomeness. I can only claim property rights of OC.
"Are you insane?" Randy stared hard into Hannah's wide hazel eyes.
"Come on, Randy, Claire said it was fine with her."
Randy's blue eyes moved to where Claire stood in the corner, talking to one of the production assistants. Apparently they had both lost their blessed minds. What in hell made them think that he would agree to let Hannah work ringside? He was scheduled for a non-title bout against Sheamus. No way in hell would any man in his right mind allow little Hannah any where close to the ring. It was far too dangerous.
Arching a brow, Randy stared down at Hannah, "Try again."
"I swear I'll stay out of the way."
Randy shook his head slowly as his gaze flicked over to Claire. He seriously doubted that she would have given her approval to such an absurd idea. Putting Hannah at ringside was just too much of a risk, "No."
Swallowing the urge to stamp her foot in a totally childlike manner, Hannah returned Randy's steady glare. She was not going to be intimated by the Viper and she was not going to take no for an answer. "Well, I do."
"No way."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Hannah groaned in frustration. What was it going to take? She was not going to let Randy make decisions that could seriously affect her future in the business. "I think somebody else should have a vote."
"I don't." Randy's statement was simple, flat.
Hannah crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at Randy. She could see the muscle working along his jaw. He wasn't any more likely to budge than she was.
Worriedly, Claire glanced over to where Randy and Hannah stood glaring at each other. It didn't look good. They both had that dead set look in their eyes. It was amazing to look at the two of them. Randy's dark, sinewy figure next to Hannah's slight frame was a stark contrast. The only thing they shared in common was the stubborn set to their jaw.. After nodding to the production assistant, Claire slowly approached them. She was afraid that the slightest interruption would upset one or the both of them, "Everything okay?"
Neither of the looked at her. Not a good sign.
"Randy says I can't be ringside." Hannah sounded more than a little pissed.
"Is that true?"
Randy spared Claire a glance before returning his attention to Hannah. That was answer enough for her.
"What do you think?" Hannah asked.
"Me? Oh no, I'm not getting in the middle of this." Claire knew it was better not to pick sides. No matter what decision she made, somebody was going to be mad at her.
"She said she asked you and you said it was fine."
DAMN IT! Did he have to say that? Hannah couldn't bring herself to look at Claire. She simply arched a brow but didn't say a word.
"I think we should ask Stephen." Hannah challenged.
Randy stared at Hannah as if she had lost her ever-loving mind. They were not going to let the Irishman make the decision.
"No."
Hannah gave in and finally stamped her foot in frustration, "Fine."
Randy watched as Hannah turned on her heel and moved quickly up the hall towards Legacy's dressing room. As long as she's pouting in there I don't have to worry Randy thought. Claire glanced at Hannah's retreating form before looking at Randy.
"What was that all about?" Claire's voice was low. She really didn't want to make a scene.
"She wants to be ringside."
Claire nodded, understanding Randy's fears without him having to say anything. She knew it was dangerous to be at ringside when two behemoths were going to collide. The last thing any of them wanted was for Hannah to become collateral damage. Granted, Randy's decision had pissed her off, but it was better than the alternative. She was just going to have to learn to work within the limits being set.
"She'll be fine." Claire gave Randy's hand a quick squeeze. Randy returned the squeeze and moved to stand in the gorilla position.
Hannah slammed the door of the dressing room behind her. She was frustrated. Every time she turned around she found another road block. She just didn't understand what made Randy think he could make the rules. She was here to do a job. Just like he was, just like Claire was. Whether he liked it or not, she was going to make sure her job got done. Hannah took a deep breath as she reached for her camera. Randy was not going to be happy but then again, it wasn't her job to make him happy. Claire seemed to have cornered the market on that. Hannah hurried down the hall back, past the spot where Randy had refused her. She knew the match was already underway. She could hear the crowd's growing intensity. Peeking out from behind the curtain, Hannah made sure nobody paid her any attention. She stepped out into the arena and snapped a couple of photos. She forced back a smile, if she had made it this far, why not go all the way? Sticking close to the railing, she made her way down to ringside. She squatted down next to the time keeper's table and smiled at him. He stared down at her in a mix of confusion and disbelief. Hannah aimed her camera at the ring and snapped photos as quickly as she could. She was hoping to get her shots and haul ass back to the production area before anyone was the wiser. The ass chewing from Randy wouldn't be as bad if he didn't actually catch her in the process. At least she was hoping it wouldn't.
Edging out from the corner of the table, Hannah angled the camera just as Randy was slammed into the turnbuckle. It was amazing to see Randy in action. The man definitely knew how to sell it. Hannah's back ached just looking at Randy as he propped himself up in the corner. She watched in fascination as the Celtic Warrior charged Randy, only to be flipped over the top rope. His body connected with the floor with a sickening thud. Randy quickly followed. He grabbed the redhead and pulled him up from the floor. After hitting him with a sharp fist, Randy shoved him toward the turnbuckle. Hannah stayed low to the floor and crept closer to the action. She snapped a few quick photos and leaned back against the guard rail. Randy grabbed the other man by a fist full of hair and hit him with a gut shot. Taking him by the wrist, Randy propelled him toward the guard rail. Before Hannah had a chance to move, she was hit by what felt like a semi-truck. She caught all of the Warrior's weight as he slammed into her. Falling back, Hannah felt her head connect with the floor and then everything went black.
Randy was in a rage by time he made it all the way back to the medics. He could only hope Hannah wasn't hurt because he had every intention of strangling her! Randy pushed aside a production assistant as he moved through the gathered crowd. He stared at Hannah as a wave of anger washed over him. A medic was slowly wiping blood from her forehead. She looked up at him and knew she was in knee deep shit. Randy bit back a curse as he looked at the row of neat stitches that ran along her hairline. He watched as the medic taped a gauze in place. Fuck! Not only had she disobeyed him, she had seriously gotten herself hurt. They were going to have a little heart to heart as soon as he wasn't dying to throttle her. The medic set down the bloody gauze and stripped off his gloves. Hannah murmured a soft thank you as she slowly stood. She glanced at Randy and wrapped her arms around herself. He took a step back and waited for her to move past him. He followed her down the hall to Legacy's dressing room. He made it a point to softly close the door behind him before he turned to face her. He tried to keep his temper down as he nailed her with a look. "Park your ass. I'm going to change, then we're leaving."
Hannah nodded as she slowly sank down into a chair. Her head throbbed in a painful rhythm. She knew she was going to pay dearly for her decision but it was well worth it. She knew she had gotten the perfect action shots. As long as her camera survived the accident, she was in the money. A soft knock on the door brought Hannah's attention from her thoughts. Moving slowly as she crossed the room, Hannah opened the door. She found herself staring at the middle of a very broad chest. Her eyes moved up the sweatshirt covered pecs and finally locked eyes with the Celtic Warrior himself.
"I think this belongs to you." Hannah watched as he lifted his arm, her camera dangling from his fingertips. Suddenly mesmerized, she stared up into his big, green eyes.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure. May I come in?" Hannah didn't expect such fine manners from someone as brawny as the man before her.
She stepped back and let him enter.
"Are you well enough?" he motioned to the white bandage on her forehead. Self-consciously Hannah's hand moved to touch the edge of the bandage. She winced at the slight touch.
"I think so."
Stephen Farrelly, better known as Sheamus, looked down at Hannah. His eyes worriedly moved over her face, "I'm sorry."
Hannah smiled, not expecting such gentleness from him, "It's okay. It's just a couple of stitches."
"You have my apologies." He smiled softly as she finally took the camera from him.
Hannah returned the smile as she realized that she finally knew what was wrong with the world. There just aren't enough men that spoke with a brogue. "It was my fault."
"Damn straight it was your fault." Hannah flinched at the tone of Randy's voice. Apparently his few minutes alone had not done anything to improve his foul temper.
"Come now, Randy, don't take it out on the lass. She was just doing her job."
Randy crossed the room to stand next to them, "She was just doing what she was told not to."
Hannah sighed deeply as she looked down at the floor. She couldn't argue, he did make a good point after all.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Randy's attention turned to Stephen.
"Returning her belongings." He motioned to the camera held lightly in her hands.
Randy hoped to hell and back the thing was broken. It would serve her right for disobeying him and putting herself in harm's way. He felt a sudden flash of shame at his uncharitable thoughts. If the camera was broken, she'd only try to pull another stupid stunt like that again.
Looking between the two of them, Randy turned to pick up his gym bag from the floor. He was through talking. Stephen could show himself to the door. Hannah looked over at Randy and knew things were far from over. She took a step toward the door with a sigh. Opening the door, she glanced over at the redhead. Stephen spared a glance at Randy before stepping to the door. He offered his hand to her. Hannah hesitated a second before offering her hand. She felt a small shiver as his large, warm hand closed over hers. Not taking his eyes from her, he stepped backwards into the hall and lifted her hand to his lips. He dropped a quick kiss across her knuckles.
"Féileacún oíche maith beag." Good night, little butterfly. With a wink he turned and made his way up the hall. Shocked beyond words, Hannah's fingers slowly curled around the small piece of paper in her hand. Forcing her eyes away from his retreating back she looked down. Carefully balancing her camera, she unfolded the slip of paper. In a neat writing was Call me and a phone number. Swallowing hard, Hannah shoved it into her pocket. No way in hell did she want Randy breathing down her neck about what was on the paper.
"Let's go." Hannah glanced over her shoulder at Randy. He stood in the center of the room, gym bag clutched in his hand. Silently moving back into the room, Hannah picked up her backpack and carefully placed her camera inside. She slung it over her shoulder before following Randy down the hall. Claire was waiting for them at the car. She perked up the instant she saw them crossing the parking lot toward her. She took a step and immediately stopped, her eyes locked on the stark, white bandage on Hannah's forehead.
"Hannah, honey! Are you alright?"
Suddenly exhausted Hannah nodded. Randy took her backpack and opened the car door. She got in without a word. After closing the door, Randy turned to look at Claire. He took a deep breath as he reached for her. He briefly hugged her to his side, his fingers buried in her hair. He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek before stepping away to open the car door. In silence they drove to the hotel. Claire stole a quick glance at Randy who kept his eyes locked on the road. She wanted to say something to make the situation better but knew it was futile. With a sigh, Claire leaned back in her seat. They were in for one hell of a long night.
***A/N – Poor little Hannah put herself right in the middle of trouble. Wonder what happens next ?!? ***
