"Hell-o?" Carrie answered the phone in a sing songy tone, assuming it to be Sidney or Lizzie on the other end of the line. "Really? Oh my god how are you? How'd you get this number?" Carrie plopped down on the bed as she listened. Kane exited the bathroom after finally getting changed, curious as to who Carrie was talking too. "Seems about right." Another long pause. "Yeah I won isn't that great?" Carrie had a childlike giddiness to her voice. Kane crooked his head to the side as he continued to speculate, he couldn't gather much from only hearing one side of the conversation. "Next week? I don't have a match but . . . you'll be there? Fisher don't say you're coming and then-"
"Carrie?" Kane finally announced his presence.
"Kane. Oh Ok Fisher I have to go, we're going out to celebrate! Yes I said Kane . . . Yes the one that came out to the ring with me, how many other Kane's do you know? … Yes he's coming. . . No we're not dating. . . Great, option's still open Fisher got it, still not going to happen . . . I said no Fisher . . . I'm sure you will . . . Yes Fisher I'll drink one for you. Go tell Olivia I said hi, now I really have to go Fisher, Sidney's a stickler for punctuality. . . This sounds like a long story Fisher I'm hanging up now." Carrie laughed as she placed the receiver down on the hook. "Ready?" Carrie finally turned her attention to Kane. This was the first time she had really seen Kane outside of his ring gear or sweats, he was wearing dark jeans and a dark red polo that was slightly snug and ill fitting around the arms but that couldn't be helped. The boots were the same, they were either the most comfortable shoes on earth, or the only ones Kane could fit into, Carrie hadn't yet decided. "Well look who got all handsome for a night out on the town." Carrie smirked, appreciating him putting effort into a night she knew he was dreading, as well as appreciating how well he cleaned up. She found herself staring at him, trying to figure out after Kane's hight what was her favorite feature. 'His arms maybe?'

"Who was that?" If Kane had the ability to blush he would have, but monsters don't blush. 'Maybe she isn't mad anymore.' Carrie much like Kane was hot and cold, happy then enraged, it was a difficult balance for Kane to comprehend from the outside looking in. 'Still you have to appolo . . . you have to make things right before it's too late.' He would not say sorry, It was a word simply not in his repertoire but he knew what he had done to hurt her, and he felt he still had a chance to fix it.
"Oh um Fisher, a friend of mine, he lives in the area . . . kind of I guess." Carrie scratched the top of her head, Fisher was always ' in the area.' when it came to her. "You might meet him next week. I mean if he gets there before the contract termination . . . or gets there at all." Fisher was flakey at best, she wasn't holding her breath that he would keep his promise to show up.
"Another friend, great." Kane rolled his eyes imagining another Sidney. "What's it to him if we're dating or not?" Kane did not like people sticking their nose in his business, his far off hope that Carie could one day be his was especially off limits, it was a fragile dream and he didn't want anyone to damage it.
"Don't pay him any mind, Fisher is a lost cause playboy. Any time I'm around he brings up the 'option' as he says it to get back together." Carrie placed up air quotes as she shrugged, wondering when Fisher would give up on the idea that it would ever happen.
"Back?"
"Yeah he's an ex from like two years back, we staid friends and all that good stuff though. "Why?" Carrie was surprised by Kane's new found interest in her love life.
"Just . . . forget it. Listen don't talk about your contract anymore tonight alright? I don't want to ruin your good time." Kane gave an uneasy smile, knowing he had pried to much, and knowing Carrie had taken notice.
"I . . . Kane if there's . . . like you said forget it! Let the good times roll!" She took his hand and began to pull him out the door.
'Trying to get back with her? Who the hell is he? An idiot just like I thought.' Kane couldn't imagine anyone letting Carrie go. 'I'm letting her go.' He reminded himself as he watched her gallop down stairs. "Carrie . . . would you ever-"
"Huh?" Carrie had been half a flight down when Kane started speaking, she could barely hear him, even with his powerful deep voice.
"Where are we going?" Kane had lost his nerve, backed out of the question he truly wanted to ask and opted for a simpler one.

"Oh it's some place called the Ivy, Sidney says it's a dive bar, which is right up our alley. There's a pool table, that's all Janet wants, a jukebox so Lizzie says there might be dancing to be had . . . and the beer is cheap, what more could one ask for?" Carrie again took Kane's hand once they reached the bottom of the stairs, it was now second nature to her, it just felt like the right thing to do.
"I'm not dancing." Kane put his foot down, his voice monotone and adamant.
"I didn't think so." Carrie couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "Don't worry I won't drag you to the dance floor, just make sure I don't dance with any creeps or weirdos, deal?" Carrie knew dive bars had some colorful characters in them and wanted to learn from past experiences.
"I'll be watching." Kane nodded as they reached the cab. Carrie squeezed in, wedging close to her friends, it appeared there was no room for Kane's bulky body to fit in. "I'll get the next one." He had no intentions of even attempting to force his way in there.
"No no it's ok. Just sit on my lap." Carrie patted her upper thighs, worried if she left Kane behind he would never follow.

"You're delusional." Kane scoffed. 'Does she not see me?' He looked down at his own legs in comparison to hers, he would crush her. 'Sometimes I think she must be looking at someone else.' Kane could tell Carrie was serious about her plan.
"Carrie I know you think you have thighs of steel, but how bout we take that plan, flip it and you could sit on Kane's lap." Janet suggested a far more practical idea. Kane gulped, hard, he didn't know if he could handle Carrie being that close, more importantly he didn't know if his body could handle it without giving him away.
"It's a trap!" Sidney shouted forcing himself over the three women to warn Kane. "Don't do it Kane!" He waved a aggressive finger in the air to emphasize his point.
"Huh?" Kane snapped out of the concern over lust to acknowledge the flailing man yelling at him. Kane looked down at Carrie, confused.
"She will hit you in the testicles! It's like her lap has a honing beckon for the most sensitive part of your crotch, trust me! Don't let her sit in your lap, you and your balls will thank me later." Sidney warned with vigor of a great sage.
"That came out . . . weird." Lizzie contemplated Sidney's words.
"That happened twice Sidney." Carrie felt she had to explain herself.
"Three . . . at the very least three . . . tap me once shame on me, tap me twice-"
"No the third time was on purpose that's different, I elbowed you in the nuts going for gold." Collectively Sidney, Kane and the cab driver winced. " And I don't know why you're still pissed about that." Carrie folded her arms in frustration.
"Why I'm still pissed? You elbowed me in the nuts you crazy bitch!"
"Hey! Watch your mouth." Kane finally inserted himself into the conversation, when his instinctual protective nature kicked in. He was growing annoyed with all the yelling, he took Carrie's shoulders and placed her outside the cab, he'd take his chances.
"You falcon punched me!" Carrie was going to go on but she stopped to snicker as she watched Kane try to contort himself into what seemed like a clown car in comparison to his large size. "You're right, that was funny!" Carrie was now out right laughing, remembering when Kane had told her how comical similar attempts had been. Kane surprisingly didn't snap at her for laughing at him, instead he just smiled back as he slouched and snaked to try and find himself a comfortable position.
"Carrie reconsider, don't sit on Kane's lap!" Sidney pleaded.
"Uh..." Even Carrie was beginning to believe Sidney's hype.
"I can't believe we're still talking about this, just get int the car." Kane reached out a long arm and began to pull her into the cab.
"Janet cover Kane's balls!" Sidney demanded.
"What?!" Kane and Janet had the same shocked look on their faces.
"The fuck is your problem dude? You seem to be taking a particular interest in Kane's junk right now. Honestly it's making me feel uncomfortable for him. And so help me god Janet, if you lay one finger on Kane's testicles there will be a reckoning the likes of which you have never seen!" As her rant ended Carrie did her best to carefully sit on Kane's lap. For a moment he considered playing along with the running joke, but decided the humor would be momentary and not worth it in the long run.
' Out of the frying pan and into the flames . . . no thank you . . . I don't need any more heat from her.' Kane let out a sigh, glad he had caught himself before making another mistake.

"I just want everyone to have fun ok? Even you two." Carrie pointed between Sidney and Kane, hoping the two could coexist if only for a few hours.
"Well I was trying to have a bonding moment . . . and you ruined it, thanks a lot." Sidney huffed. Once Kane saw Carrie's smile falter he punched Sidney in the arm, not in a playful friendly way, but with his usual brute force. "OW!"
'I guess that's just a pipe dream.' Carrie rolled her eyes.
"That was your attempt at male bonding? Talking about horrific ball related incidents? No wonder you have so few guy friends." Janet laughed, she found uncomfortable situations funnier than most.
"Shut it!" Sidney scowled, he had enough teasing about having mostly female friends in high school he didn't need any more.

"Alllllright! All this anger is getting us nowhere. Um anybody know any good jokes or anything?" Lizzie gave an awkward chuckle. She had remained quiet through the whole debate but was trying to calm everyone down. "Remember we're supposed to be having fun!"
"Jokes? What's next madlibs? We're not eleven, we don't need car ride activities." Sidney snapped, he still hadn't cooled off yet.
"Ouch." Lizzie frowned, the night hadn't even begun and it was already going south.
"Oh Oh I got one, pick me!" Janet waved her hand in the air feverishly.
"Go for it!" Lizzie was glad at least someone was playing along.
"What did the one tampon say to the other?"
"Ok joke time is over!" Sidney rolled down the window sticking his head out, hoping they were approaching the bar.

The road grew bumpy, Kane wrapped an arm around Carrie's waist and placed his free hand on top of her head to act as a barrier between it and the roof of the car. When she bounced there was a slight cushion. "Smart thinking! I wouldn't have figured that out on my own." Carrie craned her neck to smile back at Kane.
"When you're as big as me, your head bumps in to a lot of things. Either you have to adjust, or invest in a helmet, and that's chore in itself." Kane tapped a row of knuckles against his skull before placing his hand back on it's resting place. 'Smart thinking . . . don't hear that every day.' Kane was known for his brawn not for his brains, he was smarter than most gave him credit for. Kane gave a legitimate laugh as he felt Carrie's hand flop around behind her, trying and eventually succeeding in finding the top of his head, resting her palm against it, returning the favor. "Thanks." He tussled her hair slightly as she joined in his laughter.
"Anytime big guy!"

"Thank Poseidon we're here!" Sidney exclaimed, he barely waited for the car to stop before rushing to get out of the cab, he paid the driver as he breathed in fresh air. Carrie gingerly rose from Kane's lap in fear of proving Sidney right. Once standing she outstretched a hand to help Kane out, he brushed her off getting up on his own. He could see a small glitch in Carrie's smile but as always it quickly reformed.
'Carrie . . . stop doing that. . . don't hide from me . . . you don't have to.' Kane could not stand her poker face, it made his stomach tie in knots. Carrie began to skip towards the door but was brought to a stop by a hold on her wrist. She turned to see Kane's long arm attached to a clammy hand, looking up at his face he seemed apprehensive, even nervous. Carrie tried to calm him, adjusting her fingers to interlace with his, she gave his hand an encouraging squeeze.
"Don't listen to Sidney, I won't hurt you." Carrie leaned over to whisper as they passed through the doors.
"I never listen to Sidney." Kane grumbled. 'Won't hurt me.' It was if Kane had experienced an epiphany. As he felt how tenderly she guided him, he finally believed her, he finally trusted her, a considerable chunk of his long standing wall from the world had been chipped away.

"There's a table!" Lizzie shouted and they quickly shuffled their way to the vacant spot. Kane tried to use normal everyday social cues and pulled a chair out for Carrie, wanting to ensure she sat next to him, any other way would be unbearable.
"I'll sit in a minute. What does everyone want?"
"I buy you fly!" Janet rummaged through her purse before pulling out some cash. "A firefly and red bull."
"A rolling rock please." Lizzie put her finger up in the air as she placed her order.
"Kane?"
"A soda." He shrugged. "A coke I guess." Kane hadn't touched alcohol since the accident years ago.
"So a firefly, a rolling rock, a rum and coke . . . and whatever you two goons are sharing." Janet pointed between Sidney and Carrie, winking over at Kane.
"I don't want-"
"'Its alright to have a little fun sometimes Kane. Everyone does it, come on loosen up." Lizzie tried to coax Kane to join in the celebration.
"I . . ." He thought about explaining the traumatic incident, but once he saw Carrie's chesire grin he couldn't bring himself to ruin the mood. "I don't like rum." He gave another annoyed shrug, knowing he would be forced to compromise.
"Jack and coke?" Even Sidney was trying his best to include Kane.
"Whatever." Kane dug into his pocket to pull out money but was stopped by the sound of palms hitting the table.
"I said I got this round idiot! Don't try to hustle in on my game." Janet shook her head. "You can get the next one big guy, impress your lady friend and all that."
"Ugh." Kane stared over at the Budweiser clock. 'Four minutes down, three hours to go.' He let out a heavy sigh.
"Sidney be my extra hands!" Carrie demanded and in short order they walked off in search of the bartender.

Kane placed his elbows on the table, digging his chin into his palms as he waited for Carrie to return.
"So Kane, what's new?" Lizzie watched as Kane's unenthusied eyes lulled over in her direction.
"What?"
"He was busy checking out Carrie from behind, he wasn't listening. Her ass in those jeans am I right?" Janet chuckled stretching her arms behind her head.
"I wasn't staring!" Kane retorted with forced. "I was just . . . I need to look out for her." Kane trailed off, a place this crowded made him uneasy.
"Aw you big softy." Lizzie smirked. Kane remained stoic and silent, his eyes glued to Carrie as watched her hips sway and spin to the song 'Killer Queen.' A soft grin finally worked it's way onto Kane's face, a warmness washed over him, he was happy, Carrie seemed to be having a good time already. He still hated being in the bar with every fiber of his being but seeing Carrie happy almost made up for it.
'Not a total waste of time.'

"Lizzie?" This was the first time Kane had addressed any of Carrie's friends by their name, Lizzie annoyed him the least so she was his best option.
"Huh? Yeah?" Lizzie's eyes bolted open in surprise. Kane motioned her to move in closer.
"What's the secret? I want to know!" Janet felt sorely left out.
"None of your business." Kane hissed in a hushed tone.
"Then how is it her business?" Janet frowned as she pointed over at Lizzie. "Carrie your man is-"
" I wish there was an off button on things like you. Just shut up!" It was Kane's turn to slam his palms into the table, shaking the wood slightly.
"Will you just tell me the secret?" Janet practically whined.
"No." Kane replied in a monotone voice.
"We already know what you're going to say." Lizzie tried to pull Kane back into conversation before he and Janet got in a yelling match. Kane simply shut down, no sign of talking, he began tapping his foot, hoping Carrie would save him soon. 'How long are they going to be?' Kane looked back at Carrie and Sidney impatiently.
"I mean it has to be about Carrie right?" Still Lizzie got no response.
"Have you two done it yet?" Janet blurted out a question she knew would rile him up.
"She's not a filthy nymphomaniac like you. Don't talk about her like that!" Kane rose from his seat, glaring down at Janet. 'She has no respect for Carrie, throwing around her looks, and her personal life like it's a joke. Done it yet? What kind of low class question is that? She sounds like . . . like him.' Kane had to take a deep breath, trying not to think about the impostor and the garbage that came spewing out of his mouth. After a long half minute standoff Kane finally sat back down.
"See subtlety and kindness will get you nowhere Lizzie. I got him to talk." Janet did not bat an eye at Kane's outburst.
"So . . . we all know . . . you know, how close you two have gotten. Are you going to ask her out already?" Lizzie dismissed Janet's tip.
"No." Kane was keeping his answers short and to the point.
"Oh." Lizzie could not hide the disappointment in her voice. "Cause Kane I think you two would make a pretty good couple." She tried to end on a positive note.

"Who is Fisher?" Kane did his best to ignore Lizzie's statement but that didn't work out well. 'A couple? Me and Carrie? What do they know about how close we've gotten?' Kane got lost in thought as he caught another glance at Carrie. Reaching over heads Carrie waved vigorously at him, he gave a slow wave back. 'I want her. . . I want Carrie to be in my life. I want her more than anything . . . anyone.' Amidst day dreaming he barely heard the beginning of Lizzie's sentence.
"Surprised you know that name. Fisher is Carrie's on again off again boyfriend for the last-"
"It's always better to be on a boyfriend than off one if you ask me." Janet interjected.
"No one asked you." Kane bit back.
"Well if you've heard of him you probably know he'll be here next week. But if you-" Lizzie was cut off again.
"Doubtful." Janet rolled her eyes.
"Why wouldn't he?" Lizzie gave Janet a shove between gulps of beer.
"Shut up they're coming." Kane warned.
"Short story shorter." Janet took a deep breath. "Fisher is a prick, a lovable suave prick, thing is no one loves Fisher more than . . . Fisher, his needs come first if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong he's a great guy, they were a cute couple, Carrie really got along with his kid, all that good stuff. It was all rainbows and butterflies. What ruined it was Fisher has that bigger faster stronger complex, onto the next model, dropping it like it's hot, that same old story. Good fun, but a horrible boyfriend, probably the second worst person in Carrie's life, and unreliable as shit. That's why I'm not betting on Fisher even showing up. Get it? Got it? Good." Janet squeezed that whole paragraph out in that one long breath. "Hiiiiii!" She gave an obnoxious wave in an attempt to not give away that she was airing all of Carrie's dirty laundry. Sidney and Carrie had finally made their return, balancing five drinks and a pitcher between them.

"Hello." Carrie looked from side to side waiting for someone to fill her in on whatever she missed. "Sorry." Carrie whispered to Kane as she placed down his drink, assuming sitting with Lizzie and Janet must've been hell for him. Kane again pulled out her chair, he felt slightly accomplished when she finally took it.
"Cheers!" Sidney held up his drink, the rest of the group following suit. "To Carrie's smashing success!" Their glasses clanked harshly, before they all took a sip.
"Thanks guys." Carrie grinned, she was red in the face, slightly embarrassed by all the attention.
"Good job." Kane muttered, doing his best to seem excited to be there. 'Will she be crushed? If this Fisher doesn't show up? Is it possible . . . for me to have a chance?' He mulled over Lizzie and Janet's words.
"Drink! Drink! This alcohol isn't going to down itself guys! Maybe this will finally loosen Kane up!" Janet leaned across the table and tried to massage his giant shoulders.
"Get off of me!" Kane swatted her arms away. Taking the straw from his drink he hastily began to chug. 'Anything to help.'
"Like a fish." Carrie laughed as she took a sip of her hard lemonade, smiling ear to ear as small talk ensued. Kane watched her, grinning slightly as he relished the moment.
'Stay happy Carrie.' This was the smile that Kane wanted to stay on Carrie's face, her genuine smile, not some awkward facade. The night passed on slowly, eventually Kane did loosen up, talking a bit more, laughing occasionally, even able to carry on a conversation with Sidney that didn't end in violence.

By the time they had all forgotten the number of their drinks Kane finally had to break the seal. "Excuse me." Kane stood, his head bumping into the lamp above. "Either I got taller or the room is shrinking." He rubbed the impact point.
"I don't think . . ." Carrie paused to snicker. "I don't think you can get much taller Kane." Carrie laughed. Janet gave Kane two thumbs up in an attempt to remind him of Carrie's preference for taller men. "And you . . . aren't going anywhere yet." Carrie folded her arms, as she stood, turning a cheek towards him.
"Huh?" Kane didn't understand the odd behavior.
"The toll duh." Carrie rolled her eyes as if she was stating the obvious.
"Toll?" Kane was wondering if he hit his head harder than he had thought.
"Carrie, he's not actually your boyfriend." Sidney could see Carrie was fairly buzzed and was not thinking clearly, about the difference between Kane and her other friends.
"Huh?" Kane was thoroughly confused by this point. 'Not her boyfriend?'
"Carrie just move!" Lizzie didn't want Carrie to do or say something she'd regret, ruining all of Lizzie's hard work.
"Fine, fine. Here I am trying to include Kane in the group and . . . Oh" Carrie placed both hands over her mouth as she realized what she had almost done. Quickly she pulled her chair forward allowing Kane to pass.

As Kane squeezed through he yanked Sidney up by his hair, pulling him along for the ride. "The hell?!" Sidney shouted as he spilt a quarter of his beer, struggling to keep pace with Kane. "Party foul dude! Party foul!"
"Lets go." Kane couldn't care less about party fouls and wasted beer, he had something else on his mind.
"It doesn't work like that! Guys don't do bathroom buddies." Sidney complained as Kane continued to drag him. Janet rescued Sidney's beer as it sloshed back and forth in his loose grasp.
"I didn't ask for your opinion." Kane plowed through the crowd with ease, Sidney in hand.
"What was that all about?" Sidney finally stopped struggling and Kane finally let go of his scalp, allowing the smaller man to walk on his own.
"What just happened there?"
"Where?" Sidney tried to play dumb.
"Why did you all shut Carrie up?" Kane knew he was missing out on something at least mildly important.
"It's nothing . . . go piss." Sidney shrugged over at the bathroom door. Kane did not move, his will would outlast his bladder. "Fine . . . stubborn asshole." Sidney mumbled the last part.
"I'm getting impatient." Kane sneered.
"Getting impatient? You're always . . . you know what never mind." Sidney shook his head knowing arguing with Kane was futile. "We all have this thing, whenever you have to get up from a bar table, you have to give the person next to you a kiss on the cheek . . . it's just something stupid we do O.K? Was that worth all that trouble? Happy now?" Sidney felt as if he had betrayed a friend's trust, and it was leaving him heated. Kane didn't answer, he simply walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
'She wanted me to kiss her? I don't . . . my face doesn't repulse her? She said it didn't bother her but . . . my skin . . . it's nothing like hers. I'd only disappoint her, she must be drunk, I should flag her.' Washing his hands he imagined what it would be like even to steal a simple peck on the cheek, it made his pulse spike.

"Carrie what is this bullshit you're playing?" Sidney could be heard shouting from the other side of the wall.
"Let her do what she wants it's her day!" Kane barked as he swung open the door.
"Maybe you're not hearing the same shit I am Kane. That is some weird techno . . . remix version of what I think is I want to dance with somebody by Whitney Huston. It only goes down hill from here, ABBA, En Vogue, hell Sir Mix a lot is not off the table. I've been down this road before Kane, trust me you're playing with fire here, it will-"
"Was that supposed to be funny?" Kane grabbed Sidney's throat. "Because I don't find it funny."
"Funny?" Sidney wheezed, backing up a few paces when Kane finally decided to let him go. "You're impossible. Not everything is an attack, not everyone is out to get you. The world doesn't revolve around you. Do you act this way with Carrie? I'll find out by hook or by crook and if I find out you're-"
"I would never hurt her!" Kane went to grab Sidney again, but in a remarkable feat of self restraint he stopped himself.
"So just me?" Sidney rubbed his throat as he looked up and the big man skeptical.
"Trust me, not just you." Kane could see their table from where he stood but it appeared to be vacant.
"Whatever guy. I'm going to go put a stop to this." Sidney began to shuffle and elbow through the crowd, it was slow going but he moved fast enough to lose Kane.

It was much easier for Kane to pass through, his broad shoulders created a path for him, he was only stopped when Janet popped out from the sea of people. "Hey!" She stood between Kane and any forward motion.
"Move." Kane rolled his eyes, he needed to have a few more drinks to tolerate Janet one on one, he was simply too sober to deal with her. The sound of commotion reached his ears he moved his head from side to side trying to find Carrie. 'I let her out of my sight for one minute.' Part of him grew concerned that maybe they had been followed, maybe HE had found her again.
"No." Janet spread her legs slightly to make it even more difficult for Kane to get by.
"I will make you if I have to. Move." Kane was growing more irritated by the second, especially as the noise from the end of the bar grew louder and louder.
"Open your ears. N . . . O" Janet snapped back. "Look that's nothing you want a part of. There's a pool table right there, we can have way more fun back here, put those muscles to good use." She put her hands on his chest and began to move lower. Kane could hardly believe what Janet was doing.
'How drunk is she?' Kane ripped her hands off of him, feeling slightly guilty from her touch. "Get off of me!"

"Leave me alone Jackass." Carrie's words could now be heard over the crowd.
'What now?' Kane began to push Janet aside so he could get by.
"They're my bills, that's my music, back the fuck up!" As Kane continued to stomp through he could see Carrie and some stranger in the midst of what appeared to be a heated argument. He felt a tugging on the back of his shirt, Janet was still trying to force him to stay.
'I hate bars.' To eliminate Janet as a distraction he turned around and lifted her over a shoulder, carrying her with one arm in a King Kong type maneuver.
"Kane put me down!" Janet began to punch at those muscles she spoke of earlier, Kane ignored what felt like soft taps on his back and continued to walk. He didn't make it far before another road block appeared in front of him.
"Kane it's cool Carrie's got this. No biggie, don't lose your lid." Lizzie tried to reason with Kane, trying to make him overlook the fight Carrie was in.
"I don't know what your major malfunction is, hell I don't even know you!" Carrie was now shouting, as the man invaded her personal space.
"No but you're about to!" The man got closer still, they were nearly nose to nose. Carrie couldn't help but snicker at the cheesy line. "I'm fucking Steve Conner, I got plaques up on the wall, I practically run this place, you're the nobody!" He gave Carrie a shove.

Kane's teeth were grinding, the man had two strikes against him, he was far to close to Carrie for Kane's comfort and he had put his hands on her. Kane planned on getting to that jukebox before Steve struck out. "Sure she does." Kane placed Janet down and with a level of tunnel vision he passed right by Lizzie. Sidney was the last line of defense between Kane and the altercation. "I don't have time for this. Move." Kane was literally shoving people out of his way.
"Listen, she doesn't want your help. She made us promise to let her fight her own fight. Carrie told me she doesn't want you to constantly clean up her messes."
"Why is he getting so close? What is possibly worth fighting over?" Kane craned his head to one side trying to pick up bits and pieces of the continuous yelling. 'I don't plan on cleaning up this mess.' Kane was hell bent on creating a new mess, pounding this Steve person into a stain on the floor. 'I don't care about their stupid promise, or Carrie's guilt about pulling me into her fights. I made my own promise, I promised I'd protect her, someone gets in a fight with Carrie. Wether she likes it or not, they're in a fight with me.'
"Honestly this one isn't entirely her fault. This . . . I guess his name is Steve, was heckling her music, totally understandable, where the real trouble started was when he snatched the money out of her hands. Carrie did not take that particularly well. It doesn't help that Carrie and the king of the bar over there are both wasted." Sidney actually wanted Kane to go throw his weight around but Carrie had been so adamant he felt she left him no choice. ' She promised not to hit him if we kept Kane away.' There was someone else leaving Sidney no choice, Kane took Sidney's face in his palm and pushed him to the floor, finally allowing Kane to make it through to the edge of the fight.

"Carrie!" Kane called out to her, letting her know the calvary had arrived.
"Kane? Damn. I guess three against one didn't really slow you down. Uh . . . look away, everything is under control, I don't need your help I swear I got this. Go play pool or something, I'll be back before you know it." She felt embarrassed, they had caused such a big scene she couldn't back down, but she didn't want Kane to constantly have to bail her out. ' I just . . . I get ahead of myself, my temper bit me in the ass, again. This has nothing to do with Kane though, he doesn't need to step in. I made my bed now I have to lie in it. Plus I can take this guy, he can barely stand.' Carrie stood her ground. The word pool made Kane cringe, thinking back to the way Janet had tried to stop him.
"Who is that? Your boyfriend? Stay out of this pal, this is one puddle you don't want to step in!" Steve slurred, not taking into consideration the David and Goliath size difference between Kane and himself.
"So what if I am?" Kane broke through the gap, placing a hand on Carrie's shoulder and casting a shadow over Steve. "It's none of your business. I suggest-"
"Well you must got a big wallet or a big Cock, you can't catch any tail with a face like that." The drunk pointed up at Kane, whose self restraint was quickly waning. 'Puddle I don't want to step in. He'll be nothing BUT a puddle when I'm done with him. I'll break him in half, I don't like being mocked.' Kane's hand went up to his own face, trailing down his what he thought to be disfigured features.
"You're a Gargoyle, even that cunt Can see that!" Steve's finger was now directed at Carrie. By the time Kane's fingers reached the end of his cheek he balled that hand into a fist, Steve had swung his third strike.
"You don't know shit!" Carrie swatted Steve's finger out of her face. "I'll tell you what Kane doesn't have. A big fucking mouth that he can't back up. Come on Kane it's not worth it, lets go back to our seats." She knew this profanity ladened fight was going nowhere good fast, she could see Kane was ready to explode. 'He'll kill him. He'll skin him alive'
"Yeah, yeah go back to your seats. Go at it with your freak, talk about a face only a mother could love. How do even kiss something like that." It was not obvious why Steve's aggression was now directly solely at Kane, perhaps it was something chauvinistic.

"Something? I'll show you something." Carrie had to lean up just to pull Kane down towards her, she planted an enthusiastic kiss, nearly crushing her lips against Kane's. He didn't move at first, stunned, overcome with sensory overload.
'Smells like green apples, tastes like lemonade.' Kane finally got the wherewithal to kiss her back, he held her face in his big mitts not wanting the kiss to break, not wanting to lose this euphoric feeling. He didn't care that the kiss was just to prove a point, that Carrie wasn't thinking all that clearly, all he cared about was this single moment. 'No pain.' Eventually they did have to return to the real world, someone was saying Kane's name, causing the couple to pull apart slowly. Kane scanned the room trying to figure out who had put an abrupt end to his short lived happiness.
"I told you that was Kane, he's not hard to miss!" A duo of apparent wrestling fans approached what was now the center of all attention. "Can we get a picture with you?" One man handed Carrie a camera in hopes she would snap the photo. She promptly dropped the camera, she began to rake her hands through her hair nervously as she jolted backwards.
"Oh my god Kane I am soooo sorry!" A half shout, half gasp rushed out of her mouth. 'What did I just do?'
"Hey I know you too!" The one fan scooped up his camera off the floor. "You're the girl Edge bought for Kane. I thought you two hated each other."

"Ha I knew it! You are a whore! And the hunchback couldn't even afford you on his own." Steve gloated. Kane grabbed Steve by the throat, a flash went off, this was better than any posed picture could be.
"Kane, Kane relax don't-" Carrie grabbed the hand that was crushing Steve's larynx.
"Relax? I won't be talked to like that! He had his chance to shut up and walk away and he didn't take it. If You thinks you can taunt us like that and get away with it, you're not just drunk, you have a death wish. I've hurt people for less, much less." Kane's grip tightened.
"Kane I'm not twenty two anymore, I can't be getting kicked out of bars. Lets just sit. Please? We were having a good time, I ruined it and-"
"Did you play all your music?" Kane was staring Daggers at Steve as he slowly let go of his throat. "If you have a single nickel of hers, I suggest you hand it back."
"Here take it! I think your friend should ask for a refund on this one." A few crumpled up ones were thrown in Carrie's face.
"That's it!" Kane cocked a fist up in the air to lay a punch, but Carrie wedged herself between him and Steve. For a moment it seemed as if Carrie would blow a gasket but then she grew almost uncomfortably calm. She moved from Kane's side and approached Steve, still stone faced.
'Wait for it.' There was a specific cue she was fishing for, she slowly moved closer till she was literally stepping on his toes.

"Get off me bitch!" Steve gave her a rough shove, Carrie stumble backwards a few steps before swinging, connecting a heavy right hook. Immediately after she flung her arms up in the air for everyone to see.
"Self defense, he shoved me first, I feared for my life!" She wanted every patron to hear her, another flash went off. 'Thank you officer Dan, the lesson on starting a fight without starting a fight comes in handy a lot.' She had stepped on quite a few toes in her day. "If this all wasn't a sign we should go, I don't know what is." Carrie sighed, she won the battle but not the war, king of the bar would remain and they would most definitely have to leave.
"Finish your music." Kane suggested as if nothing had happened. He would not be forced, intimidated or other wise move from where he stood till he was good and ready. "Here play all the music you want, go crazy." Kane smirked tossing her his wallet. The smirk withered as he approached Steve who was in a seated position on the bar floor rubbing his jaw. "One word. Just one." Crouching down Kane held a single finger in Steve's face. "I'll crush your voice box with my foot. You know why? Steve YOU stepped in a puddle you shouldn't have stepped in. Thank your lucky stars that tonight I'm being patient, civil, and generous. I'm not good at either of those things Steve. You know what I am good at? Destruction, Brutality, Wrath, they come a lot easier to me, I like them a lot better. You disrespected Carrie . . . You disrespected me, that's not a smart decision Steve. I wouldn't push your luck any farther. If I hear your voice, I will stomp it out of you, I will pulverize you" Kane's voice was eerily calm as he detailed his threat. Steve could see the massive size of Kane's boots and knew it wasn't an empty threat. Basically throwing up the white flag of surrender Steve stood up and scampered off into the crowd in the direction of the door.
"That was . . . intense . . . to say the least." Carrie walked to Kane's side patting a hand on his shoulder.
"I proved my point. Play your music . . . I need a drink." Kane let out a heavy sigh as he made his way back to the table, exhausted and confused.

"I'm proud of you, for letting Carrie handle that, well for the most part." Lizzie sat across from Kane. "Congratulatory drink for not beating someone up?" Lizzie was able to pull a small smile from the overworked machine.
"Sure." Kane had forgotten Carrie had hold of his wallet, a free drink would eliminate the need to walk back and get it. Lizzie with haste went and bought another round.
"To self restraint." Lizzie lifted her bottle.
"Hmph" Kane scoffed as they gave the bar a scan, looking for where the remainder of the group was.
"Sidney is helping Carrie and Janet is . . . busy." Lizzie nodded over at Janet who was more or less straddling some stranger's lap. "What's up?" She could tell Kane had something to say. Kane clenched and unclenched his fists staring down at the table, contemplating exactly what he wanted to say. "I've been thinking . . . about what you said earlier." Kane squeezed his eyes shut, looking as though he was in legitimate pain.
'Don't get your hopes up, like the man said, a face only a mother could love. You don't stand a chance Kane.' The voice started up again.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Lizzie could tell Kane would battle with himself over this for hours, and they simply did not have that kind of time, closing time was fast approaching.
"Sure." Kane nodded as he rubbed his temples.
"Are you alright?" Lizzie was growing concerned, Kane seemed paler than usual.
'Oh you're far from alright Kane. You're losing it again.'
'Be quiet!' Kane sat frozen for a minute before he answered Lizzie. "What's this secret?"
"Well I guess two secrets. First being, Carrie isn't always as drunk as she seems." Lizzie and Kane both turned to look down the bar at Carrie and Sidney who were singing loudly and off tempo with the third Ace of Base song they had played in a row.
"Hate to see her when she's drunk." Kane let out a short chuckle.
"Oh don't get me wrong, what I mean is . . . she plays up her drunkenness. She's a slow drinker and sometimes just has to pretend she's as drunk as everyone else till she can catch up. So Carrie is very much so drunk, but that wasn't the deciding factor in what-"
"She seems to do that a lot." Kane cut her off in a somber tone.
"What? Pretending to be drunk?"
"Pretending." Kane shrugged. "No one smiles that much and really means it. She's faking a smile, pretending to be happy, all the time. I don't get it." Kane shook his head as he pondered his own question. 'Who is she trying to catch up to? Who is she trying to fool?'

"Oh, that, yeah." Lizzie nodded. "I think it's a nervous tick of her's, like a defense mechanism or something. She's smiled like that as long as I've known her, around the clock smiles, even when everyone knows she sad or angry or cranky . . . it's just what she does. I asked her, I asked Sidney, Carrie plays dumb and Sidney says not to talk about it, they both get upset when you bring it up. That's not my point though! My point is Carrie is fair to medium drunk right now, not black out blithering idiot drunk though. Which brings me to my next point, that wasn't just a peck on the lips Kane, that was the real deal. The second secret is, it's no secret, you two aren't fooling anyone." Lizzie chuckled as the mood finally lightened.
"Huh?"
"We all see how you look at her, how she looks at you. You guys are inseparable, and complement each other nicely. You guys both have crushes on each other and everyone knows it but you two. And it's adorable!"
"Adorable." Kane repeated flatly.
"This is the part where you're happy . . . and go ask Carrie out, and fall and madly in love and-" Lizzie rambled, getting frustrated that Kane had little to no reaction to her words.
"Why?"
"Ok maybe I'm rushing it with the whole fall in love thing, but the reason you're supposed to be happy is you two-"
"Why would you think Carrie has a crush on me? What do you think anyone, much less her would find desirable about me? Sure that kiss was great, but it won't happen again, we're friends and that's all we'll ever be. It's funny." Kane's laugh was far less uplifting than Lizzie's.
"Funny?"
She's so close . . . she's right in front of me, and if you want to call it a crush that's fine. I have this crush . . . and there's nothing I can do about it. There's nothing about me I can change to better my odds. You say she looks at me the same the same way I look at her, when I look at her I see the most important person in my life fading away. When she looks at me I don't know if she really sees me . . . the real me. She sees someone else, she has all this hope all this tenderness for this person she sees, but it's not me, thats not the look you give a monster, a demon. I would tell her to stop but . . . it feels . . . it feels good to be looked at that way, I'll steal it while I have the chance."
"Kane I'm telling you, I know . . . for a fact . . . Carrie has a crush on you. Trust me she knows you're a monster. She's getting that loud and clear, in surround sound, you keep saying it . . . Sidney keeps saying it, we get it . . . we all get it. Carrie doesn't care, doesn't bother her one bit. Just keep shoveling hugs her way and you're golden."
"Huh?" Kane's mind was buzzing, ideas bouncing from side to side in his brain, he was getting confused.
"Have you ever seen Carrie's face when you hug her? She looks like she could just live there forever." Lizzie tried to pierce through Kane's self doubt. He didn't say much the rest of the night, lost deep in thought barely acknowledging when the bar began to clear out. It was time to go.

'We're going home, what do I do now? Do I do anything? If Lizzie's right I have to do something, soon. If Lizzie's wrong I need to act like tonight never happened. Which is it?' Kane was growing nervous.
' I am such an idiot! Look what you've gone and done Carrie! How are you going to explain yourself? How can you justify forcing a kiss on a man that loves his personal space more than anything else in the world? I just . . . I get really carried away when I drink . . . I'm more impulsive . . . I go after what I want, whether they like it or not.' The air was crisp and quiet as they all waited for their ride. Once the cab arrived the group filed in, Carrie seemed even more hesitant to sit on Kane's lap.

"So . . . what did the one tampon say to the other?" Janet laughed.
"Ugh what?" Sidney finally relented but Janet couldn't finish the joke, she couldn't stop laughing.
"Nothing . . . they're both stuck up bitches." Carrie delivered the punch line to scattered laughter.
"You ruined it!" Janet pouted.
"I saved it. Jokes are all about comedic timing."
"That's it, you're not invited to the after party!"
"After party?" Carrie's eyebrows rose in question, she had no idea that the drinking was going to continue. 'Well I could go . . . pass on the alcohol, sober up, and think of what I should say to Kane. It shouldn't be that hard . . . it's not like I regret it, I have to buck up, I have to tell him how I feel. Then deal with the consequences, either he'll accept it or never talk to me ever again and hate me till the ends of time. . . one of the two.'
"Alright you can go!" Janet was gone, obliterated, six free shots to many, again laughing to herself. "Oh you're invited too Kane. Sorry for before can't blame a girl for tryin." Janet's words were slurring.
"Before? Trying what?" This was news to Carrie.
"Janet was-"
"I was trying to fuck your boyfriend!" Janet shouted.
"That's not what happened!" Kane nearly jumped out of his seat.
"Don't get bent about it Carrie . . . I was doing it for you, duh!"
"Uh Huh . . . Thanks?"
"You're welcome." Janet nodded as the cab came to a stop at the first hotel.
"So you coming?" Sidney asked as they began to empty out of the cab.
"No." Kane replied without hesitation.
"Your loss. Carrie?" Sidney quickly moved on.
"We need to talk." Kane spoke under his breath holding onto one of Carrie's sleeves.
"Now?" Carrie asked naively, already knowing the answer. Kane didn't respond, he just stared.
'Is she trying to sweep this under the rug?'
"I don't think it's kosher to mingle with someone after they admit they tried to fuck your boyfriend so I'll pass."
"You know Kane isn't actually your boyfriend" This was the second time that night Sidney had to remind Carrie of that fact.
"Goodnight." Carrie leaned out of the car and kissed Sidney on the cheek.
"Goodnight . . . I guess." Sidney waved with one hand and scratched his head with the other as he watched the cab pull away.

"So . . . " Carrie twiddled her thumbs nervously. "You must think I'm a huge Ho." She chuckled weakly. 'Ho, underused word.' She tried to keep her mind of her worries.
"What?" Kane was thrown off gaurd, not expecting that comment. "Don't listen to people like Edge or that Steve kid, you're nothing like that."
"I meant . . . because of the way I acted to night." Her shoulders hunched in embarrassment. "Pouncing on you like that wasn't exactly classy but-" Carrie was cut short. Kane mustered all the confidence he could, took Carrie by her wilting shoulders and forcefully kissed her. It was an intense relief, finally going after what he wanted most, allowing himself to get close, allowing himself to indulge in affection. All that enthusiasm made him lose touch with his own strength, he had accidentally pushed Carrie into the cab window with the force of his embrace. When he heard the contact he quickly pulled back. "Ooof" Carrie rubbed the back of her head.
"Did I hurt you?" He stomach dropped, worried he had blown his only chance with her by proving he couldn't be gentle. Carrie didn't speak she just shook her head no. She was in a state of shock, she thought she had figured out every possible outcome of this situation, an unprovoked kiss from Kane was not on that list. 'What do I do now?' He tried to figure out if her current smile was real or just another imitation. "Say something!" Relief gave way to a building sense of anxiety.
"We're here." She pointed out the window as their night on the town came to an end. They stood outside in the parking lot for several minutes, Carrie looked down at her shoes as she thought long and hard of what to do next.

"Carrie?" Kane was in his own personal hell, not sure what was going on in that mind of hers. Carrie slowly closed the gap between them. She did her best to wrap her arms around Kane's broad body, as always it had an awkward result. Kane hooked his hands under Carrie's arms lifting her till they were face to face. Carrie's legs gingerly wrapped themselves around Kane's waist allowing Kane to loosen his hold, his hands traveling to the small of her back.
"This is alright? This is what we want? What we both want?" Carrie held her breath waiting for Kane's response.
"I'm not sure." Kane admitted, he began to run a row of fingers up and down Carrie's spine. When Kane had first met Carrie he had no desire to be around her, to get to know her, much less grow to care for her.
"Me either." She bit her lips as she laced her fingers behind Kane's neck. "We won't know if we don't try right?" She leaned in and kissed him again. Kane made no attempt to put Carrie down, he held her tight as they walked through the hotel lobby. Kiss after kiss were exchanged, almost as if they were battling for intimate dominance. Kane for once didn't care if people were staring at him, he and Carrie were all that mattered in the moment. The elevator was causing him complications though, holding Carrie and reaching the right button was proving troublesome. "You can put me down you know?" Carrie offered as she watched Kane fumble and juggle to squirm his hand close enough to the button.
"No." Kane had a victorious grin as the elevator doors slid open. "Do you need me to put you down?" Kane's grip loosened, worried he was squeezing her too tight.

"No." Carrie trailed kisses down Kane's neck, she could feel his pulse under her lips.

By the time they reached the hotel room Kane's breath was rapid, long suppressed urges boiling over. He felt Carrie everywhere, lust had taken over. Any conversation they were going to have would have to wait till the next day. Kane purposefully did not turn on the light, still concerned she would see the 'real him' and shun him. When he let go of Carrie she bounced once or twice causing her to giggle. As Kane got closer he ran a hand slowly up Carrie's shirt, once he passed her belly button, he paused almost asking for permission to continue. When Carrie didn't object his hand incased one of her breasts, squeezing ever so softly, enjoying the ability to explore more of Carrie's addicting skin. He pulled her shirt over her head with his free hand, he took a moment just to admire her. Carrie placed a hand over his. "I'm not made of glass Kane. It's alright I won't shatter." She raised Kane's shirt, in short order removing it, she began to draw nonsensical shapes along Kane's chest. "Come on lay down." Kane followed her direction, laying straight as a board down the bed. Carrie situated herself on top of Kane, straddling him right bellow his hips. Kane was glad Carrie was taking control, he didn't have to worry about overstepping his bounds, didn't have to worry that he would hurt her and didn't have to worry that his inexperience would show. Carrie's hand slowly made their way down Kane's chest, dragging her nails softly over his skin, Kane grabbed a fistful of Carrie's hair as he felt himself throb. The throbbing only got worse as he felt Carrie pass his belt loops, she began to stroke up and down slowly outlining him, her free hand fumbled with the button of his jeans. Once that was taken care of, the sound of the zipper being undone seemed to echo through the room. This had escalated quickly, candy is dandy but liquor is quicker. Kane's body had been anticipating this moment, it jumped out to meet her, at the first skin to skin contact had to pull her off, he had to collect his breath or risk letting the excitement get the better of him. "Kane is everything ok?" Carrie could feel Kane's grip on her hips tighten as he held her above him.
"Katie I-"

"Oh my god!" Carrie placed a hand over her mouth in shock. She nearly fell out of bed she couldn't get away fast enough. She ran to the bathroom locking the door behind her. She turned the faucet to drown out the sounds as she began to cry. She stared at herself in the mirror as her eyes welled up and overflowed. 'Why am I not good enough for anyone? Just me? I'm always living in someone's shadow. What is it I don't have?'
"Carrie?" Kane put a palm up against the door, the sink wasn't fooling him, he knew the tears were falling, he couldn't blame her. 'Why did I say her name? I wasn't thinking about Katie. I Don't know why that just happened. Was it something subconscious? Idiot!' Kane knew these words were going to fall on deaf ears but he said them anyway, words he previously removed from his vernacular: "Carrie I'm sorry." He did his best to speak through the crack in the door. "I didn't mean to say her name, I don't know where that came from!" He went to knock but was stopped when the door slowly opened.

Carrie stepped out her face was bright red, her cheeks puffy, she was trying to sniffle away the remainder of her tears. Kane wanted to hold her, to in anyway console her but he knew at the moment she wanted nothing to do with him, he felt like the scum of the earth. "It's . . . it's ok . . . no biggie." she finally made eye contact and Carrie forced a smile on her otherwise crushed face. That plastered on grin ate away at Kane more than the crying itself.
"Carrie ple-"
"Kane I think . . . I think I need some air . . . I'm going for a walk." Carrie slung her shirt back on and left the room, not even closing the door behind her.