Sheamus ran forward and leveled Cody Rhodes with a forearm, knocking him to the mat. A few members of the house show crowd booed but the majority cheered. Sheamus pushed the reaction of the minority away with ease.
Can't win 'em all, he thought, getting back to the match at hand.
He dragged the younger man up to his feet by his head before picking him up with one arm and slamming him down on his knee for the Irish Curse Backbreaker. As Cody landed on the canvas he quickly covered him for the pin.
One! Two! The young wrestler kicked out at the last minute.
Sheamus came to rest on his knees, trying to get his second wind and think of a new strategy.
He slowly got to his feet and collected Rhodes, bringing him up with him. He set him up for White Noise but Cody drove his elbow into the Irishman's face, forcing him to let go.
Cody slipped behind him and shoved him through the ropes. Sheamus landed out on the outside mats with a 'thud', pain shooting through his body.
He slowly rose to his knees, taking a few deep breathes. He climbed back up onto the apron and Cody advanced on him. The cocky young man was just about to grab him when Sheamus sent a vicious blow to his gut, knocking him back.
Both men were unmoving as they tried to work through their growing fatigue.
The crowd's cheers grew as Sheamus got to his feet and climbed onto the top rope from the outside. Unfortunately Cody was up in an instant, grabbing the other man's arm and yanking him back into the ring.
As Sheamus got to his feet Cody jumped on the ropes and came back, his foot connecting with Sheamus' jaw, causing the bigger man to fall to the canvas.
Rhodes dove on top of him for a pin. One! Two!
Sheamus kicked out, the crowd's cheering growing.
As he rose to his feet Cody ran to the other side of the ring, meaning to do the same maneuver again. He launched himself off the ropes but at the last minute Sheamus caught him.
Without wasting any time he set him up for White Noise and planted him into the mat. But he wasn't don't yet.
He went to the corner and began to pound his chest, chanting, "Brogue! Brogue! Brogue!"
The crowd began to chant with him, knowing what was coming.
Cody shakily got to his feet and staggered before turning around. He was only able to go a few steps before the Celtic Warrior leap forward, driving his boot into the other man's face.
Cody crashed to the canvas and Sheamus quickly covered him.
One! Two! Three!
The crowd began to scream as Sheamus' music played out over the arena.
The Irishman rose to his feet, raising his arms to the crowd. He began to pound his chest before spreading his arms wide and bellowing.
As he did that Cody's tag team partner, Damien Sandow, slipped into the ring, meaning to attack the Irishman from behind. He started to go for him when Sheamus, sensing he wasn't alone, quickly spun around and delivered another kick. Sandow was down for the count.
"Fella!" Sheamus roared to the crowd before slipping out of the ring and making his way backstage.
As he walked a grin began to form on his lips. He loved a good fight. And that was definitely a good fight.
He was just starting to make his way towards the locker room when he spotted Alberto and Ricardo standing a few feet up ahead. The two men spotted him and froze for a moment before turning and darting towards the back of the arena. Sheamus quickly took off after them in hot pursuit.
The pair raced out of the arena and into the parking lot, trying to make a break for Del Rio's car. Alberto was able to dive in and start it up but the much slower Rodriguez was easily caught.
As Sheamus spun the other man around Alberto sped out of the lot and into the night. The Irishman watched after him before focusing his vengeance on Ricardo.
"Please! Please, Sheamus!" the other man pleaded with him.
Sheamus simply spun him around, sending him crashing onto the hood of a car. Ricardo hit it with vicious force, denting it in. Groaning, he rolled over and blinked, trying to get his bearings.
That was a mistake. Sheamus stepped up to him and began to pound his fist into the other man's chest. One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten!
Ricardo moaned and slumped down, all but out.
Shoving him off of the hood, Sheamus turned and made his way back towards the building. That wasn't the man he wanted but that bleedin' coward would do for now.
As he stormed back into the building he was met by Christian and Ted. The two men fell into step beside him, laughing.
"Nice throw there, fella." Ted told him good-naturedly.
Sheamus found himself grinning despite the situation.
"It would have been better if Ah could've gotten my hands on Bertie." the Irishman replied, "But Ah'll be seein' him soon enough."
They entered the locker room and began to pull out their street clothes, gather their towels and the like.
"The sooner the better." Sheamus muttered as he snatched up his towel, "Then Ah can get back to focusing on the Big Show."
"Good luck there." Christian grinned over his shoulder at the larger man, "Considering he seems to be ducking you."
"The guy didn't even show up tonight cause he heard you were gonna be here." Ted added with a laugh.
"Yeah, well just don't let him hear you say that." Kofi mentioned as he entered the room, "You saw what he almost did to Kimber and she's just a reporter."
Sheamus paused, his eyes instantly narrowing.
"Mmm, that girl is fine." Ted snickered as he slipped his t-shirt over his head, "I'd love to make her a member of the DiBiase Posse."
"She is pretty cute." Kofi agreed with a grin.
Christian noticed that Sheamus was remaining uncharacteristically quiet. He winked at the other guys before bumping the Celtic Warrior on the arm.
"What do you say, fella?" he grinned at the other man, "You think she's pretty cute?"
"Yeah." Sheamus blinked, coming out of his thoughts, "Yeah, she's pretty."
"She seems nice enough." Ted stated as he took a seat on the bench and began to do up his shoes, "Maybe a little too focused on her job, though. She doesn't go out with us after shows or anything."
"She's just driven, is all." Sheamus shrugged, "Ah respect her for it."
"Oh. You respect her." Christian looked over at Ted knowingly.
"He respects her a lot." Ted snickered.
He glanced over at Sheamus and froze, his eyes going wide. The other man was glaring at him, his features fearsome.
"I-I was just kidding, Sheamus." Ted squeaked.
Sheamus slowly rose and walked over to the smaller man. He leaned down, till they were nose-to-nose, and Ted swallowed hard.
Kofi and Christian looked at one another, both men worried. They simultaneously wondered if they would be able to pull him off the other man should a brawl break out.
"Aww, Ah'm just foolin' wit' ya, fella!" the Irishman began to grin, playfully slapping the smaller man on the shoulder.
Ted started to smile, albeit weakly.
Sheamus grabbed his towel and soap and made his way back to the showers.
As he stepped under the hot spray his thoughts traveled to the pretty reporter. He couldn't help himself. It seemed like lately his thoughts always went to her.
He just didn't understand it. Why was she able to get to him like no other woman had before?
Face it, fella, he told himself, Ya got it bad for the lass.
He shook his head and grinned at himself.
He figured he was so infatuated because she wasn't like the normal girls he had dated.
As if yer datin' her already, he sighed silently, The only date you should be thinkin' about is the one with the Big Show to get yer title back.
He finished showering and, wrapping a towel around his waist, made his way back out to the locker room. It was surprisingly deserted, the rest of the guys already having left.
He took a seat on the bench and sighed, not happy with this turn of events. Del Rio and Big Show. That's where his head needed to be. Not focusing all of his attention on a girl.
A gorgeous girl.
He sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. He was hopeless.
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Kimber leaned back in her chair and stretched, her arms rising high above her head. She moved her head from side to side to get the kinks out of her neck. Spending three hours in a chair, no matter how comfy it started out, was murder on her body.
Yawning, she removed her reading glasses and rubbed her eyes. Slipping them back on, she put in another DVD and cued it up.
Tapping her pen against her legal pad she watched as Triple H came out to say a very heartfelt goodbye to his best friend, Shawn Michaels. Her tapping stopped and she actually began to tear up a little just watching it. What Triple H felt for Shawn was a lot like what Kimber felt for her own best friend, Cassidy. If Josh was her road best friend than Cassidy was definitely her home best friend.
And if the two men had gone through even half the things the two women had. . .well she could understand their bond.
She was doing research for a sit down interview she was going to have with her boss a few weeks from now for . Stephanie's idea, of course. Which was fine with the young reporter. She jumped at the chance and hoped she did such a good job that it led to even more opportunities.
Kimber jotted down a few notes before looking back up.
"I just wanted to come out and say," Triple H was saying, his voice choking up with emotion, "That there's something I always wanted to say to Shawn and I've never said it. But I want to say it now in front of the whole world."
Whatever else he was going to say was cut short as suddenly there was Sheamus, bellowing and driving a steel pipe into Triple H's back.
Kimber let out a cry of alarm, her hands going to her mouth. She found she could only watch on, wide eyed, as the Celtic Warrior stood over the fallen man, pipe raised for another shot. His features were hardened, his blue eyes filled with cold rage.
Seeing that the other man wasn't going to get up any time soon, the Irishman backed away and slipped behind the curtain.
The screen went to black but Kimber made no move to turn it off. She continued to stare blankly at it, horrified.
She couldn't believe that was the same smiling, charming man who had stood up for her just last week.
She slowly turned her chair around, her head in her hand. She accidentally bumped her reading glasses and she ended up yanking them off of her face and tossing them onto the consol.
She didn't know what to think. She was so conflicted and not sure what to do.
Seeing that rage, that threat of violence. . .
It caused her to shiver. And the memories. . .all the bad memories it brought rushing to the forefront. Memories she'd like to forget.
She shook her head, instantly deciding that unless it was work related she wouldn't have anything more to do with him.
It might have been rash, maybe even absurd, but she just couldn't do it.
The sounds of Bon Jovi's It's My Life suddenly filled the production room, causing the SmackDown reporter to jump.
She exhaled, willing her pounding heart to subside, and reached for her phone.
"Hey, Josh." she greeted her friend, her voice sounding a little more strained then she would have liked.
"Hey." he paused for a second before asking lightly, "So what's going on?"
"Oh nothing." she replied, hoping her tone sounded more casual, "Just looking over some video footage. Stephanie wants me to interview Triple H for the website."
There was another pause and Kimber could just hear the wheels in his mind turning.
"Are you all right?" he asked at last.
"I'm fine." she quickly answered him.
"Wanna try that again with the truth." he chuckled good-naturedly.
"It's nothing." Kimber stated as she swiveled around in her seat, reaching for her reading glasses and putting them away, "I was just thinking."
"About Andrew?" Josh questioned her gently.
Kimber cringed at the name, hating herself for her reaction. For allowing that simple name to do that to her.
She didn't say anything but then she didn't have to. Josh knew the answer well enough.
"Has he tried to contact you?"
"No." Kimber assured him, "He wouldn't dare."
"So why are you thinking about him?" he wouldn't let it drop.
Kimber's eyes flittered back to the blank screen. She could still see the attack. Again and again it ran in her mind.
She turned off the monitor and leaned back in her chair, contemplating.
"What do you think about Sheamus?" she asked after awhile.
"You sure I'm the person to ask?" Josh muttered, bitterness coloring his words.
Kimber couldn't help but grin about that, "Josh, get over it already. Besides, you were too good for that girl anyway."
"Yeah, whatever." the SmackDown announcer sighed loudly into the phone, earning another grin from Kimber.
"So what do you think?" she couldn't help but prompt. She really wanted to get his opinion.
"He's an okay guy, I guess." Josh informed her, adding jokingly, "A little quick to anger maybe."
Kimber glanced down at the consol. She thought as much. Heck, she had seen as much a few times now.
"Why do you want to know?" Josh began to tease her, "Do you have a crush on him? That's it, isn't it? You want to have his ginger babies."
"Josh!" Kimber gasped, partly aghast, partly laughing.
She shook her head, assuring him, "I'm not interested in him. I was just curious, is all, considering that he's stood up for me not once but twice in the course of an evening."
She leaned back in the seat and murmured, "Besides, I'm not here for a boyfriend, remember?"
Josh chuckled, "I know. I just wanted to give you a hard time."
"Well you succeeded. Congratulations." Kimber giggled.
There was a muffling of voices followed by Josh stating, "Hey, Kim, I hate to do this to you but I have to go. But I promise we'll talk before the show Tuesday."
"I understand." Kimber smiled into the phone, "Oh, and I'm actually going to see you sooner than that. Vince and Triple H want me to go to Raw Monday and interview a couple of the guys."
"Great!" Josh replied enthusiastically, "I'll see you then."
"Yeah. I'll talk to you later. Bye." Kimber hung up the cell.
She put the phone on console, her eyes going back to the screen. She debated not on if she should watch the rest, but whether she would be able to.
She closed her eyes and willed herself to do it.
Come on, you have to do this, she told herself, You need to do this. You can't very well interview the guy if you're shaking like a leaf. So suck it up, put the video back on and watch.
She opened her eyes, at once set. She reached over and turned the monitor back on, followed by the DVD.
Just focus on the job, she thought, That's the only thing that matters.
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Monday came quickly. With it came another town, but the same old routines.
After some radio and TV interviews Sheamus spent that afternoon hitting the gym with a couple of the guys. As Megadeath blared out of his iPod earbuds, he lifted weights.
He loved this: pushing himself. Seeing how far he could go. He was always about a challenge whether it came from weights or wrestling. It didn't matter.
He had just finished an intense thirty minute workout when he wrapped a towel around his neck and made his way over to the bar to get a Gatorade. As he approached he noticed Josh standing at the end of it, talking to a very pretty, dark haired girl.
"Josh, fella, Ah'm sorry to bother ya, but Ah need to talk to you for a minute." the Celtic Warrior clapped his hand on the smaller man's back.
Josh jumped at the sudden intrusion and he looked up at Sheamus hesitantly.
"Can it wait?" he asked the wrestler as he bobbed his head towards the woman, "I was just talking to Mindy here and-"
"Oh my God!" the dark haired woman squealed with delight, pushing past Josh to stand before the Irishman, "You're Sheamus! I am such a fan!"
Sheamus chuckled with embarrassment over her enthusiastic nature, "Thank you, that's real kind of ya."
Mindy leaned in even closer, offering him a dazzling smile as she confided, "I have to be honest, I have such a crush on you."
Josh's face fell, his shoulders slumping. He looked completely crestfallen.
Sheamus glanced over her head to the other man, offering him an apologetic look, but Josh didn't appear too keen on forgiving him.
He turned back to Mindy and laughed nervously, "Um, thanks, err, Mindy. If you don' mind, though, Ah really need to talk to my friend here."
The young woman looked disappointed and she sighed, shrugging, "Sure. I guess."
"Thanks." Sheamus slipped an arm over Josh's shoulders and led the smaller man away.
"Yeah, thanks." the SmackDown commentator muttered dryly.
"Ah really am sorry, lad." the Celtic Warrior replied hesitantly, "If Ah'd known-"
"What do you want, Sheamus." Josh grumbled.
"Ah want to know about Kember." Sheamus got right to the point.
Josh's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. First Kimber wanted to know about Sheamus and now he wanted the dirt on her. Oh yeah, there was nothing going on there.
Yeah, right. Josh thought with a inward smirk.
"What do you want to know?" he decided to play around a little, "Her favorite foods? Favorite color? Does she like to take long walks in the rain?"
His chuckle slowly died as he took in the annoyed expression of the large Irishman.
"Sorry." he apologized as he cleared his throat, "Um, well, she started working for the company three months ago. She's focused on her job to the point where she doesn't have time for much of anything else. Basically she's trying to make a name for herself in the business."
Sheamus thought over what he had said. He respected that she was so passionate and driven. Two things that he, himself, prided himself on.
But it was a bit of a double edge sword. All that passion and fire was going to be directed at her job. It was clear that she had no time for anything else in her life.
So there it was. As much as it sucked, as much as he didn't want to, he decided to back off. Unless she showed some interest he'd give her space and let her concentrate on her job.
"Thanks, fella." he clapped the smaller man on the back, earning another flinch, and walked back over to the weights.
"Hey, fella."
Sheamus turned and smirked as John Cena approached, the two men shaking hands.
"Just finishing up?" the Irishman asked and John nodded.
"Yeah." Cena told him, "I've got to hit the showers and then do a Make A Wish."
"Good man." Sheamus told him, "Ah'm about finished up meself."
"Preparing yourself for Show?" John asked with a grin.
"Somethin' like that." Sheamus smirked.
"You know, I wanted to tell you congratulations." John replied, "You put on a hell of a match against him last month."
"Thank ya. Ah just wish it would have ended a bit differently." Sheamus sighed and slowly began to smile, "But Ah'll get him next time."
"Count on it." John shook his hand and headed out.
As he left he passed by a WWE camera crew who were making their way inside. Sheamus instantly took notice of them, disappointed that Kimber wasn't among them.
"Sheamus, Sheamus, can we have a word?" one of them asked as they approached.
"What can Ah do for you fellas?" Sheamus grinned at them.
"We were just wondering if we could get a quick sound bite for Outside the Ring?"
"Sure, sure." Sheamus waved them on, "Go right ahead."
"Okay, Sheamus," the producer asked, "Can you give us a quick run through of your workout routine?"
"My workout routine?" the Irishman repeated with a nod, "Well first what Ah do-"
Suddenly a commotion came from behind the crew. Before anyone could move Alberto and Ricardo shot passed them and attacked the larger man. They plowed him with blows, driving him back.
Sheamus began to fight back, leveling Ricardo with a blow to the jaw. As he fell the Celtic Warrior set his sights on Del Rio. The two men went back and forth until Del Rio started to get the worst of it. The only thing that saved him was when Ricardo somehow managed to recover and send a kick to the back of Sheamus' leg, causing him to stagger. The two men took that opportunity to take off.
Eyes blazing, Sheamus started to go after them but they made it to Alberto's car and sped away.
The Irishman looked after them, chest heaving and eyes filled with murderous rage.
This ended now.
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That night's Raw came quickly. The backstage area was bustling with activity.
"Okay, Joel." Kimber stated as she approached her cameraman, "We're supposed to be interview Del Rio sometime tonight."
"Great." the cameraman muttered, rolling his brown eyes.
Kimber smirked at him, confiding, "I'm not exactly looking forward to it, either."
She glanced over his shoulder, his smile instantly dieing. Involuntarily, she found herself backing up a step.
Sheamus was making his way down the hall, appearing more like a charging bull than a man. It was clear he was angry and just spoiling for a fight with a certain Mexican aristocrat.
He had no luck finding them but he did see Kimber standing up ahead with her camera. At the sight of her his anger began to subside somewhat. He could definitely feel some of the tension leaving his body.
Ah'm just gonna say hi to her, he thought, There's nothing wrong wit' saying hi her.
"Kember, how are you, lass?" he greeted her, a slow smile coming to his lips.
"Sheamus. Hello." Kimber nodded, her tone overtly polite and detached, "If you'll excuse me."
Sheamus blinked, surprised by her cool welcome. She had never been less than nice to him before.
He watched after her for a few moments before falling into step beside her, "Have Ah done something' to ya? Are you mad at me for something'?"
Kimber drew to a stop and glanced down at the ground before turning back to him. She tried to appear passive, but he could see something lurking in her eyes. Hesitation? Fear? He didn't quite know what but he didn't like it.
"Kember?" he prompted her gently.
"No, I'm just very busy." she said as she turned and headed off down the hallway, "Excuse me."
Sheamus watched after her in confusion. What was that all about?
Kimber continued on, her heart racing and her legs shaking. She cursed herself for feeling so afraid of him. And she cursed him for getting that kind of reaction out of her.
She was so engrossed with her thoughts about him that she didn't notice Alberto standing in front of her until she practically ran into him.
"Oof!" she gasped in surprise.
Alberto chuckled, his arms easily coming around her waist to steady her, "Careful, nena."
Kimber pulled back, trying to put as much room between herself and him as possible, "Alberto, hello. I'm glad I ran into you-"
"The pleasure is all mine." the Mexican aristocrat winked at her.
Kimber ignored that and went on, "I'm hoping now would be a good time to set up that interview."
"Ah, I'm afraid not, nena." Alberto looked around, growing nervous and preoccupied, "But I promise I will give you one after the show."
He started to make his way up the hall when he suddenly turned around and took off in the other direction. A few seconds later Sheamus came barreling after, the Irishman livid.
He rounded a corner but came back a minute later, alone.
He spotted Vickie Guerrero standing up ahead and talking to Dolph Ziggler. The bleach blonde noticed his approach and he quickly made himself scarce. Vickie looked after him in confusion before slowly turning around. Her eyes widened as the angry wrestler drew near and she quickly flashed a phony smile.
"Hi, Sheamus!" she cooed.
"Ah want a match with Del Rio and Ah want it tonight!" the Celtic Warrior bellowed so loudly that it caused Kimber to flinch from her spot down the hall.
Vickie's phony smile wavered, "She-Sheamus, that's impossible. The matches for tonight have already been set."
"Then Ah want a match wit' him at Survivor Series." Sheamus muttered darkly.
"I'll certainly consider it." Vickie grinned brightly at him but her eyes were full of uneasiness.
"Ah don' want consideration." Sheamus' tone was filled with tightly leashed rage, "Ah want the match."
"Look, Sheamus, I'm the Managing Supervisor of Raw." Vickie told him weakly, "If y-you want a match, you have to take it up with Booker."
Sheamus began to grin slowly, "Fine. Ah'll take it up wit' Booker all right."
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Later that night he made his way through the arena, his bag slung over his massive shoulder. As he passed both wrestlers and crew alike tried to steer clear of him.
It was fine by him. He was on the hunt for Del Rio and he didn't need anyone getting in his way.
He entered the parking garage and drew to a stop, a devilish grin appearing on his lips and a sinister light coming to his eyes.
There was good ole Ricky standing by one of Bertie's prized cars. He was texting, completely unaware of the trouble that was about to befall him.
The Celtic Warrior started to advance but his steps began to slow, his face filling with confusion.
He drew to a dead stop and watched as Kimber came from the other direction. She approached the announcer, who presented her with a bouquet of red roses. Kimber took them slowly, looking at them in surprise.
Ricardo said something to her and led her over to the passenger side of the car. He opened the door for her, Kimber glancing at him before sliding into the seat. The announcer quickly closed the door and ran around to the driver's side. He got in behind the wheel and it wasn't long before the car was roaring to life and tearing out of the garage.
Sheamus looked after them, jaw locked and eyes narrowed. He slowly began to shake his head and laughed coldly.
He felt like an arse. A foolish arse. He actually thought the girl had class. Had some convictions. He thought she wanted to work hard and make a name for herself in the business.
But the truth was her pretty head could be turned with a flash of the cash.
He couldn't believe it. He thought she was the last person to be bought off. Especially by the likes of Del Rio.
Angry, he turned and stormed over to his rental car. He had a long night in the gym
ahead of him.
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Ricardo pulled up in front of a lavish restaurant and cut the engine. He hurriedly got out of the car and raced around to the passenger side, opening the door for Kimber.
"Señorita." the announcer stated as he held out his hand to her.
Kimber looked up at him in hesitation for a moment before taking it and allowing him to help her from the car.
Without another word Ricardo rushed back to the driver's side and got it. Within seconds the car was once again hitting the street, whipping around the corner to where, Kimber presumed, he was going to park it.
She slowly turned back to look at the restaurant. She didn't understand why the interview had to take place there. The arena would have been perfectly fine.
"Better get this over with." she sighed and made her way to the front door.
The second she went inside she could hear Alberto snapping at Joel, "No, you peasant! Over here! Film me from over here! This is my good side!"
Kimber closed her eyes and counted to ten. This wasn't going to be a good night. . .
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A lone cab pulled up to the hotel later that night. The back door opened and a frustrated Kimber emerged. She paid the driver and made her way inside.
All she wanted to do was go to her room and get some sleep.
She was still cursing that letch, Del Rio, as she stormed through the lobby and over to the elevators. She jammed her thumb on the button and took a step back, arms crossed over her chest and high heeled foot tapping angrily against the marble floor of the lobby.
Sheamus emerged from the hotel gym, freshly showered but also, still, freshly angry. He turned and started to head over to the elevators when he paused in disbelief.
The very reason for his anger was standing right there in front of him.
Feeling his temper rising, the Irishman made his way over to her. As he approached he noted her dour stance but forced the instant concern that flared up within him down. He didn't want to feel anything for her but the anger that was bubbling up in the pit of his stomach.
"What's the matter?" he quipped coldly as he stopped behind her, "The gifts Del Rio give ya not good enough?"
Kimber blinked and spun around in surprise. Her surprise grew as she took in the six-foot-six-inch tall man's glower.
"Excuse me?" she was more than a little confused.
"Or maybe it was the bouquet of roses." Sheamus went on with an icy grin, "You wanted two dozen instead of one, right?"
"I don't. . ." her voice trailed off as realization hit her. He must have seen her leave with Ricardo tonight, "Sheamus-"
"Ya know, Ah have to say Ah expected more outta you, Kember." he muttered, his anger fueling on, "Ah certainly never expected you of all people to be turned by a flash of the cash."
"Now wait a minute!" Kimber snapped, insulted, "Sheamus, you're. . ."
She let her voice trail off. She wasn't going to explain anything to him. He didn't deserve an explanation. It was none of his business what she did.
"Ugh." she grunted and started to turn back around to face the elevators.
Sheamus reached out and grabbed her arm without thinking. The grip wasn't hurtful, just firm and meaning to keep her in place.
Kimber spun around though, a look of stark, abject fear written across her features.
"Stay away from me!" she shrieked, easily pulling free of him and backing away. She stared up at him with wide, frightened eyes, trembling.
Sheamus paused, surprised by her violent recoil from him. Hurt began to well up in his chest and shine through his eyes as he took a step back and shook his head.
"Ah would never hurt you, Kember." he replied quietly.
She continued to stare fearfully up at him, unmoving. It was almost as if she were afraid to do anything for fear of what he would do next.
Wounded and still feeling agitated, Sheamus turned and stormed off, going for the stairs.
The elevator behind her chimed, the doors sliding open. The ding seemed to bring her back and, blinking, she turned and went inside. She hit the button for her floor and leaned back against the wall, her head falling into her hands.
She felt so embarrassed for reacting like she had. She lifted her head, raking her hands through her hair.
"Way to overreact." she chastised herself.
She could still see his expression. The absolute, sincere hurt in his eyes. It was real, she could tell. She was well versed in seeing an act. The real thing looked much different.
She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. She didn't know what to think or how to feel. It was just too much after the terrible night she had had.
She opened her eyes, a bit of her anger coming back. She grabbed onto it, wrapped it firmly around her as though it could shield and protect her.
Why would he care what she did or whom she was with? It was none of his business. The nerve of that man! He intervenes on her behalf one time with the Big Show and suddenly he thinks he's her protector. She didn't need a protector.
The elevator came to a stop and dinged. A second later the doors slid open.
Great. All she wanted was to crawl into bed, pull the covers up over her head and pretend that this day had never happened.