AUTHOR'S NOTE: Told you all I'd update today , even if it is a puny chapter [: I cut off half of the chapter for later , because I felt like it was ruining the overall effect . Xandman216 and MADNinjaSkillz , you two are awesome and I never thanked you two personally in my last chapter , so thank you both !;D And thanks to the people who favorited/alerted this story , you guys are just as equally amazing . Anyways , my editor , Nellie , is going to be gone for the next two days , but she said she'll email me the other edited chapters later today or tomorrow . I decided not to wait for her to revise this , because I wanted you all to read it [x So anyways , here you go !

-xoxo

Katherine Nicotra

Chapter 12: Forgive Me

ISTELLA'S POV-

Sunlight streamed in through the window, the blackout curtains not closed. The thin sheer inner curtain let in the light, and my eyes fluttered open. I yawned and rolled over, only to smack into Randy. I gasped and pulled back, remembering where I was, and Randy groaned, turning to face me with half-open eyes.

"Is that how you wake someone up in the morning?" He slurred, his voice thick with sleep. I blushed and hoped that it didn't show.

"No, I just forgot. Sorry."

"S'okay," he said, yawning and rubbing his face. "What time is it anyways?" He lifted himself up on one arm and leaned over me to see the clock. I held my breath as I felt his body inches from mine. "It's nine twenty." He looked down at me, and it seemed to dawn on him that he was way closer than usual. I looked into his eyes, and felt my face grow warm. After a few seconds, he moved so he was lying on his side again.

"Uhmm, I need to shower and get ready for a meeting." I subtly covered my face with one hand, watching Randy. He nodded, and motioned towards the bathroom.

"All yours. I'll wait to go to the gym after you're done."

"Oh no, I can just use my own shower in my hotel room." I uncovered my face and smiled at him a little. He seemed conflicted, and he shook his head a little.

"I don't think that's a good idea..." He trailed off, pressing his mouth into a tight line.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. I'll only be half an hour tops and I'll meet you back here before I go to the meeting." I sat up and pushed my hair out of my face, glancing over at him.

"Fine, but don't forget to tell me before you leave." He gave me a serious look, and I nodded.

"Got it." I threw off the covers and stood up on the carpeted floor.

"Oh, princess?" I couldn't stop the stupid smile that formed on my face at his nickname.

"Yeah?"

"I didn't forget what you said yesterday. I'll get you back." He winked, and I pressed my lips together to stop myself from breaking out into a full-on grin. A small laugh escaped from my mouth and Randy flashed a small grin. I kneeled next to my suitcase and got out a pair of jeans, a collared white shirt, and undergarments before I left the room. I sighed as I padded through the hallway. People were getting out of their rooms, and I nodded as I walked by Kofi Kingston and Matt Sydal. I grinned as Matt held out his hand for a high-five as we walked by eachother. I high-fived him and then unlocked my room, shutting the door behind myself and going straight to the bathroom. I had met Matt first when I had been in the headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and we had become great friends. I could never think of him as Evan Bourne when we hung out or talked.

I slipped into the shower and freshened up in about twenty minutes, but I couldn't stop thinking. I chuckled darkly, realizing how the shower had become my own personal conference room. I thought about Randy leaning over me in the bed, his eyes on me. Was he about to...

No, it couldn't be,

I was plain, boring, uninteresting. But then what about last night in the club? What would possess a guy like Randy to want to... want to kiss me? He was probably just trying to mess with me. After all, he had just barely gotten over his hatred of me.

'What about the night you and Randy shared? The night when he took your virginity? He called you beautiful. He doesn't think you're plain,' my subconscious spoke out, causing me to shut my eyes. Memories flashed past, and I felt faint. I took deep breaths, calming myself before I went insane. Randy had been DRUNK. He didn't mean a word he said, and he didn't even remember what had happened. Too bad I couldn't forget. I could never forget that night.

I shut off the water, toweling my hair dry and slipping on a soft robe. I walked into the bedroom, shivering from the air conditioner. I turned it off, then sat on my bed, lathering on lotion. As I pulled on my bra and panties, I heard a knock on my door. I sighed, pulling on the robe again as I imagined Randy worrying his head off on the other side of the door. I pulled it open, and the door flew open further, banging against the wall.

"I've been waiting for you, lass." I screamed, jumping as Sheamus put his hand on one of my shoulders, holding me in place. Not like it made a difference, though, I was too scared to move. "DOn't try anything, move inside. " Trembling, I walked into the bedroom, Sheamus following close behind. Just as Sheamus closed my door, I heard another door opening in the hall. I turned my view to Sheamus, whose mouth was watering hungrily.

"Wh-what do you want?" I tried to compose myself, but I couldn't.

"Mr. Wade Barrett has offered me quite a sum of money to... have fun with you," Sheamus said, his face twisting into a leer. "I think I'll enjoy this. I do wonder what you did to piss him off, lass..."

My breath caught in my throat as Sheamus slowly inched closer. What the hell did the NXT-winner, Wade, have against me? I didn't have time to think any further, as Sheamus backed me into a wall. My thoughts flashed to Randy, and I wished that I was with him, far away from Sheamus.

Quickly, Sheamus shoved me into the wall, and I winced at the pain. Sheamus smiled gleefully, and crushed his mouth to mine. I struggled to escape, but he ignored me. I felt sick as his hands slipped under my robe, pushing my bra aside. He started groping my breasts, and I screamed as he moved his hands lower, near my panties. His slimy, disgusting tongue slipped into my mouth, and I bit down hard without thinking.

Sheamus yelped, jumping back. I saw this as my opportunity, and ran for the door. I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders, and gasped as I was thrown to the floor, the air getting knocked out of me. I screamed as I was yanked up by my hair, Sheamus pushing me into the wall, his glare murderous.

"Bitch," he spat, slapping me on my face and causing me to yelp. He released my hair, and in one swift movement, ripped my robe and bra off. I fell to my knees as Sheamus grabbed at my underwear, and then punched me in the stomach instead. I felt his hands on my hair, and then there was a crash followed by animalistic yelling.

I pulled myself up, my knees close to my chest to cover myself. I saw Sheamus slumped against a wall, Randy crouched over his body as he punched him. Randy shot up, and moved back a few feet, baring his teeth. Then, with the swiftness of a snake, he bolted towards Sheamus, kicking him in the head with thunderous force and causing his head to bash into the wall. I saw Randy's back, his shoulders heaving as his muscles strained against his gray shirt.

I felt sick, and though I tried so damn hard not to, tears started to fall. I closed my eyes, trying not to feel afraid, but I couldn't help it. I felt like Sheamus would come back any second, and finish his assault.

A hand touched my shoulder, and I shrank back, sobbing. Sheamus was back. He was going to finish what he started.

"Princess, it's okay. I'm here, it'll be okay." I didn't know what it was about Randy, but just hearing his voice made me feel safe. I kept my head down, and felt some warm fabric get shoved into my hand. "Put this on, I'm turning around. I grabbed the fabric, and looked up to see Randy turned around, his torso bare. He was only wearing jeans now, and I felt bad. I pulled the Affliction shirt over my head, and cleared my throat, unable to speak.

Randy turned around and sat on the ground beside me. Gently, he pulled me so I was straddling his lap, but he didn't say anything. He pulled my head to his bare chest, and wrapped his arms around me, encircling my frame. I rested my hands on his chest as I wept silently, my only comfort being the man who had saved me yet again.

ISTELLA'S POV (cont.)-

I cried for an hour before I finally relaxed. Not once did Randy say anything. Once my tears had subsided into sniffles, I pulled myself from Randy's chest, looking at his face. He looked angry, furious almost, but he also looked sad and worried. He stared at me with sympathy in his eyes, smiling slightly as I looked into his face.

"How you feeling now?' His voice was a soft ruble, and I smiled faintly, sighing.

"I'm fine." I felt sick and hungry, to be honest, but I wasn't going to tell him that. I glanced to my right, and my eyes widened as I saw the broken door.

"I didn't want to try seeing if the door was open, because I didn't want Sheamus knowing I was there... it was a spur of the moment decision." I looked back at Randy, who smiled apologetically.

He spun me around in his lap, and I gasped in surprise as he stood up, his arms holding me. Without a word, he strode past the broken door and Sheamus' still-unconscious body, walked into his own room, and set me on his bed. He left, and was back a minute later.

"I called Vince, you have the day off and you don't have to go to the conference meeting."

"Randy, I can go." Even as I said it, I knew I was lying. I felt terrified, and I wanted nothing more than to stay in that room with Randy's company.

"Stay for my sake." Randy smiled, making his way over to the bed and sitting on the edge, next to me. He put a hand on my knee, and looked at me. "Did Sheamus say anything? Did he have a reason for hurting you, or was it just stupidity?" Randy's eyes flashed venomously as he spoke of Sheamus, his blue eyes freezing over momentarily.

"He... he said that Wade Barrett had paid him," I said, watching Randy's face freeze, his breathing stalled. He seemed to be in fear. Quickly recovering, he inched closer, searching my eyes.

"Are you sure? Is that exactly what he told you?" Randy's voice was strained, and I nodded slowly, trying to decipher his new mood.

"Where's Sheamus?" I couldn't help the fear that crept into my voice, and Randy's face softened minutely.

"He's still knocked out. Why don't you try to get some sleep? I'll go take a nap on the couch." Randy squeezed my knee and got up, heading for the door. Before I could think twice, I spoke.

"Randy?" He stopped at the doorway, turning slowly, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "Could you... I... can you stay with me, please?" My voice broke, and I felt stupid for asking him, but I just needed him there. Asking was my only option.

"Of course," he said softly, surprising me. He walked back, laying down on the other side. He pulled me towards him, his arms encircling me as I snuggled into his bare chest.

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling exhausted.

"Sleep," Randy said softly. I complied, my brain starting to fade as my eyes shut. Weirdly enough, the last thing I remembered was feeling something soft against my lips, and then a quiet, apologetic voice.

"Forgive me, princess."

RANDY'S POV (rewind a bit)-

I felt numb. It was my fault. Wade knew that I had spent the night with her, and he was trying to hurt her to hurt me. To him, she was just collateral damage.

I walked towards the door, leaving Istella to sleep.

"Randy?" I stopped walking, turning to see what was wrong. She was sitting with her legs pulled to her chest, like she was scared. "Could you... I... can you stay with me please?" The fear was obvious in her voice and her eyes. For some reason, it made me feel good that I could make her feel safe. Feel safe, not be safe.

"Of course." I walked to the bed, and pulled Istella's still-shaky frame towards myself. She relaxed in my arms, and I relished the way she felt against me.

"Thank you," she said, her voice quiet.

"Sleep," I whispered, looking at her face. Her eyes shut, and her breathing fell in a constant rhythm.

I had to get away from her. I had to stop showing that I gave a damn about her. She was in danger because of me.

Suddenly, I realized what I had been denying all along. Why did it matter to me that Wade was messing with her, if she was nothing to me?

Because she wasn't nothing.

I leaned down, and feeling impulsive, I kissed Istella on her lips. Feeling my thoughts register, I whispered to her sleeping form.

"Forgive me, princess."

Forgive me for hating you, forgive me for hurting you. Forgive me because I must leave you.

Forgive me for loving you.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter in two days at the latest ! What do you all think will happen now that Randy is accepting his feelings , but feels like he's hurting Istella ?