Hey everyone. Long time, no update. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the hiatus. Between the global situation, looking after my son's schoolwork, and life in general, all of this took a backburner. I know you don't give a flying fig about my personal life really, but I also went through a bit of a heartbreak a few months ago. Truth be told, one of the last things I felt like doing while dealing with all of this was working on a romance story. However, I am back and hopefully getting back in the swing of things.
*Trigger Warning* for implied violence at the end.
"I told ya, Doc. I'm fine. Now let me go, damn it!" Mark growled at the ER doctor as he sat in the hospital bed, strapped to a machine. His foot had slipped off the rope while performing his old school rope walk and his frontal lobe collided with the ring post, resulting in stitches.
The doctor offered an empathetic expression but he wasn't fazed or threatened by the big man's demands. "I'm sorry, Mr. Calaway. With the extent of your injuries, I'd like to keep you for at least the next forty-eight hours for observation," the doctor stated.
Mark scowled up at the doctor and spoke again, his voice becoming more frustrated. "Look, I've gotta work tomorrow. I can't sit in no damn hospital bed, doing nothing!" he spat at the man in the white coat.
Dr. Fonza was not backing down, nor did he seem to be concerned with how intimidating the phenom was to others. "Mr. Calaway, you will not be working tomorrow because I am not going to discharge you until I get your results."
Heather and Reves stared at one another through sideways glances as their father's face turned a fiery red. Mark wasn't used to people denying him what he wanted, yet he hardly ever had to lose his cool with others because most were too petrified by him.
Just as Mark was about to tear the doctor a new one, his cell phone began to ring from inside his duffle bag. "Heather, get my phone girl!" her father barked.
Heather did as she was instructed and walked around the side of the bed to retrieve the phone from inside his bag. Pulling it out, she looked at the screen and turned towards her father. "It's Mr. M-McMahon," she said hesitantly.
"Give it here," he demanded as he thrust his hand out impatiently. Heather swiftly delivered the phone to him and he immediately answered, "Hey, Vince."
"Mark! How are you doing? That was quite a tumble you took. Sorry I didn't get over to see you before they took you away," Vince's booming voice could be heard throughout the room.
"I'm fine, Vince. Just a scrape. But this damn doctor won't release me until he runs tests," Mark informed Vince as he glared at the physician who was still standing in the room, looking rather impatient.
"Well, what about the girls?"
"Huh? They're fine," Mark replied, wondering why he'd asked.
"I mean will they make it here tomorrow? I need them here. Tomorrow's Raw is when they are to join the nWo," the chairman reminded him.
"Yes, how could I forget?" Mark rolled his eyes. "I don't know, Vince. I'm trying to get them to let me the hell out of here."
"Well, can't you just send them on down? Hell, they're old enough, aren't they? I mean they are both basically college-aged."
That was true, much to Mark's chagrin. Still, he wasn't about to send the girls hundreds of miles away with no one to look after them. Was Vince bat shit crazy? (A rhetorical question, certainly.)
The Chairman was getting irritated. He knew Mark couldn't help his injury. It could happen at any time to any performer. What was starting to ruffle his feathers was the fact that because Mark couldn't let the girls out of his damn sight, it was beginning to interfere with his plans. He didn't like it when people interfered with his plans. Mark of all people should have known and understood that.
"Listen, Mark. I have a plan going forward. Now, I understand that you are protective of them, but I need them to be here tomorrow, come Hell, or high water. I feel I am very flexible with you. You are one of my greatest stars and certainly my most loyal employee. I've always taken care of you and your family. Right now I need you to return the favor and trust me that nothing will happen to them."
Mark sighed. Vince could be very apt at selling – he was a billionaire genius after all. Vince had a way of guilt-tripping too. These were his daughters though. He couldn't just send them off to be around a bunch of grown-ass horn dogs with no one to keep an eye on them. He knew all too well what the boys were like.
Just then, his oldest daughter decided to chime in. "Dad, I know how to drive – and read a map." (a slight lie, but that's what her sister was for), "I can get us there," Reves said confidently with an air of agitation.
"No," Mark responded sternly, his eyes locked onto her. Of course, she would just be chomping at the bit to go gallivanting all over Hell's half-acre without him! He could only imagine what type of shenanigans she could get them into. "Absolutely not!"
"Mark," Vince's voice came over the speaker, drawing his attention back to his boss, "I would say the girl is capable of looking after herself and her sister. After all, she is what, nineteen for Christ's sake!"
"Yeah but-" Mark was trying to argue despite knowing he was losing – a prospect that didn't make him very happy.
"But nothing. Just have them be sure to be here tomorrow. I guarantee, nothing will happen to them!" Vince ordered before ending the call.
Vince had no way to guarantee shit, but Mark knew Vince had him in checkmate, and arguing usually ended futilely. Mark felt a pounding in his head that was increasing. Either the meds were wearing off or the stress was bringing this on. He scowled at the doctor as his vision started to blur. "Doc, I'm telling ya. I am fine. Just let me the hell out of here," he lied as he felt his head start to spin.
"Nice try, Mr. Calaway," Dr. Fonza looked at him unshaken. He then turned his attention to the daughters. "Girls, I am sorry, but visiting hours are over. You can come back tomorrow morning," he offered, despite being privy to the entire conversation about them going off.
Mark swore under his breath as the girls looked at him expectantly, particularly Reves. It seemed as if he didn't have a choice. Vince stated firmly he wanted them there. He knew how much trouble people got in for not showing. Despite the fact that it would be his doing, he didn't want any stink with Vince. Mark was highly dedicated to having the best show possible, even when it looked like giving in to something he was strongly opposed to. He didn't know how it was going to go, he just knew Vince better be right and no one better touch a hair on their heads, if they valued their lives and more importantly their souls.
Another long-winded growl came. "Alright girls." Mark glowered at his oldest, "I need you to be able to get you and your sister to St. Louis. Take the map from my bag." This was a bitter pill to swallow and Mark was almost choking on it.
Reves labored to contain her excitement as she retrieved it from her father's bad with a Cheshire grin.
Mark's eyes fell on his younger daughter, her expression hiding none of her apprehension. "Dad, I don't think…"
"I know girl," he acknowledged in a rather grumpy tone. "But these are Vince's orders. Not much we can do." Did she really think he was fine with them traveling by themselves in the middle of the night?
He averted his gaze to Reves once again, with clear and stern instructions, "Head straight to St. Louis, no lollygagging. You should make it there before it gets too late. Don't go driving like a speed demon and an idiot. But if you feel too tired, stop somewhere. You can get there when you get there. Vince should thank his damn stars you will be coming at all."
"Got it," Reves said keenly, eager to be on her way.
"No bullshit, Reves. I mean it!" Mark reiterated to drive the point home.
"I know," the blonde said flatly.
After saying their goodbyes, the doctor ushered them out and Mark was left alone to vex over what tomfoolery would possibly befall the two young women. One thing was sure, he was definitely not going to breathe a word of this to Sara.
Having checked out of their current hotel room, the girls made their way to the parking lot. A whistle sounded through the air, gathering their attention and causing Heather to jump. Turning to their left, they noticed Scott Hall and Kevin Nash approaching.
"Yo, how's Mark doing?" Scott asked.
"Pissed off as usual," Reves replied plainly. "The doctor is keeping him for observation and if he wasn't so fucked up, he probably would have jumped out of bed and Tombstoned the poor bastard."
Scott laughed, and her response even drew a chuckle from Nash. Knowing Mark he probably would have. He was one iron-clad son of a bitch.
"And what are you two planning to do?" Kevin asked, noticing luggage in hand.
"M-Mr. McMahon gave express orders that w-we are to arrive in St. Louis promptly to execute the aforementioned strategy for Raw," Heather squeaked out, only briefly glancing up at the giant as her visage burned.
Reves rolled her eyes at her sister. "As you can imagine, the Dead Man is spinning in his grave right now."
"What? How the hell are you two gonna make it to St. Louis by tomorrow afternoon by yourselves?" Nash asked, unconvinced.
"Well, I'm not a fucking bimbo that can't operate a vehicle you know," Reves said, immediately taking offense.
That wasn't at all what Nash was implying. Still, he couldn't help from clapping back with, "If the shoe fits…"
"Easy Chica," Scott said, trying to defuse the situation. "I think what Big Kev meant was it's a long way and very exhausting, especially for someone who isn't used to driving long distances like that." The dark-haired man glanced up at his larger friend hoping his thinking fell in line with his words. "Ya know, we're getting ready to head out right now ourselves. Maybe you should just ride with us."
"Absolutely!" Reves chirped, not hesitating for a second.
Kevin gave his best friend the same dubious expression that the dark-haired girl allocated to her sister. "Like fucking hell they are! We already have to play babysitter to when it comes to the show. We are not going to be their personal chauffeur too," Nash growled with too much bite in his voice. He regretted the words as soon as they came from his mouth, but looking down at the petite girl, he noted that her face was a strange mixture of wounded relief.
Heather kept her eyes trained on her sister although she could feel the giant's gaze flicker towards her. She felt her heart wrench in her chest due to his harsh tone, yet simultaneously feeling alleviated. The very prospect of venturing alone with these men was utterly ludicrous and certainly not to be entertained in any capacity. Be it unnecessary to mention that their father would be livid if he ever became privy to such impetuousness.
"Kev, don't be a prick, bro," Scott chided him. "You're the one that said they wouldn't make it on their own."
Despite resenting the words in regards to her competency, Reves echoed to the blonde man, "Yeah, don't be a prick," she fixed him with her trademark sneer.
Nash glanced back at the little ankle-biter unfazed. She reminded him of a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a Rottweiler. Though he imagined she fancied herself a Doberman. Had it been a different moment in time, he would have laughed thinking of her as a dog. No, it was late and they were behind schedule and he was already too irritated.
Heather attempted to ignore the presence of the two men when she leaned into her sister's ear. "Rev. I – I don't think this is the most innocuous course of action. You know full well that our father with be irate if we undertook such a foolhardy recourse. And what of the rental car which we are to utilize?" the demure girl whispered in an unsteady voice.
Reves paused momentarily defeated that their little rendezvous had been halted. Then after some consideration, she replied, "Dad will need a car after he gets out of the hospital. Might as well leave it here for him. We could always tell him we caught a ride with Amy and the boys." Reves was quite proud of herself that she had been so resourceful.
"Reves! That's lying. I don't believe-"
Before she could finish, the blonde goliath's voice rang over everyone. "Woah, woah, woah! I don't know where you get off with your little scheming shenanigans, but I already said I'm not taking either of you anywhere," his bass voice bellowed. He tried not to let his gaze linger on the bashful creature too long. He felt he had done a semi-decent job at distancing himself from her as of late. He didn't want to endure a five-hour car ride with her, even in the presence of others.
"Kev, man I'm exhausted as shit. I just want to get to the next city so we can sleep. We just can't leave 'em where they have no idea where they are going or what they're doing. Besides, you know Vince will have our ass if they don't make it," Scott argued with his friend.
"Vince already knows how I feel about that shit. I'm not a damn babysitter. This is his numb-nuts idea," Kevin retorted.
"Yeah. But he still blames us, and we still end up doing ninety-nine percent of the shit he tells us."
"That's because you and Kid are dumbasses and encourage him."
"Can we just get going? Talk about pissing the night away," Reves cut in.
Nash let out a seething rumble from his throat. They could stand there all night, going back and forth about the shit, with those two heckling him. After having said her piece on the matter, the petite girl now stood mum. She fidgeted anxiously while the rest of them squabbled. Had Kid been awake and not passed out upstairs, he would have been ganging up on him too.
What if they took the wrong exit and ended up in Tucson? Nash willed the thought from his head. That wasn't his problem. Shit. Then why did he feel the need to ensure their safe arrival, especially the little one? "Fuck me," he muttered under his breath. "Let's just hit the fucking road. We're hours behind as it is," he groused in defeat.
"Yeah, baby!" Reves cheered as she hopped onto Scott like a giddy school girl before composing herself.
"I'm certain it goes without saying that no one is to breathe a word of this to Mark. Got it?" Nash's voice boomed over everyone.
He looked down at the timid creature, nearly frozen in terror and he knew it would be an ordeal coaxing her into the vehicle with them. The apprehension was written plainly on her face, but at this point, she didn't have much of a choice. He knew she couldn't drive and truth be told, he didn't trust in Reves to navigate them safely to their destination. It was shit that they were stuck in this type of situation, but they would have to make the best of it. At least he would be focused on driving and wouldn't have to pay much attention to her. He could only hope.
Turning towards Scott, he directed him, "Go ahead and bring the van around. I'll grab Kid."
Scott nodded and sauntered away as Kevin made his way back into the hotel.
Heather waited until both men were out of sight before she addressed her sister in a borderline panicked state, "Reves, what are you thinking? We cannot go with them. Daddy will be so immensely livid-"
"And how exactly will he find out? Unless someone tattles." Reves gave her a sideways glare.
"I-it's just, it's not h-honest…"
"What the Dead Man doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, could you imagine how irate Mr. McMahon would be if we showed up late?" She feigned concern, playing on her sister's fear of the chairman.
"I hadn't given any thought to that," Heather admitted, seeming to be weighing the lesser of the two evils. This still did not sit well with her and she was certain something would go ere.
A couple of moments later, Nash appeared with an incapacitated Sean Waltman flung over his shoulder like a sack of chicken feed.
The next instant, a white utility van stopped in front of them. Scott exited the driver's side and pulled open the sliding door on the side.
"Highly conspicuous creeper van. Marvelous," Reves commented, dripping sarcasm.
"You're still welcome to brave the trip on your own," Nash informed her as he strode passed. He still carried Sean with the intention of loading him into the van like cargo. There came a loud thunk! as Sean's head collided with the top of the open door frame of the van. Nash cursed but began snickering along with Scott as the result of inadvertently bashing his unconscious friend's head against the vehicle's metal frame.
Reves sputtered and it took only a moment for her to break into full-fledged hilarity as well.
Heather solely did not find any amusement in the mishap and worried about how he would be faring. Perhaps it was parallel to her father's incident from earlier, but she hardly found it comical. "Is h-he going to be alright?" Heather inquired awkwardly.
"He'll be just fine," Nash shrugged indifferently after chucking his buddy in the third-row seat like a bale of hay.
Heather's doe eyes beheld him with shock for a moment. After shaking off her astonishment she surrendered her bag to be loaded into the back of the van.
Once everything was secured, Scott and Reves hopped onto the second row. To Kevin's disdain and Heather's mortification, they didn't waste time cozying up to one another.
There was little time to debate over seating arrangements, Nash realized as he glared at the lovers. This configuration left the little one riding shotgun with him the entire journey (unless perhaps, Kid miraculously woke up).
The same dreadful feeling that swirled inside him made itself evident across the comely girl's features. She stood staring apprehensively at the pair in the center seating of the van.
Not giving any mind to either of them, Reves reached over and slide the door closed with a resounding clang. Her sister shut her out, along with any possible negotiations.
Steeling himself, Nash let out an exasperated groan. The sooner this gets started, the sooner it will all be over, he convinced himself as he strutted around the vehicle to the driver's side and got in. He noticed the shy girl still standing on the curb, staring at the closed door with unwavering anxiety. He could tell she was still rationalizing every reason in her mind not to enter the van. The sentiment was mutual for him, but for grossly different reasons. However, they no longer had time to ponder logistics.
Leaning over the passenger's side, Kevin yanked the latch and pushed open the door. "Come on, little one. You don't want to stand out here all night by yourself, do you?" he teased her with a coy smirk.
Heather gave a start as he spoke to her and her heart leaped through her chest when she dragged her gaze towards his charming expression. She squirmed indecisively. They couldn't possibly carry out this preposterous stunt. Despite being forced to collaborate with these men, the truth of the matter was, they were still little more than strangers. She felt guilty for thinking ill of them, but the fact remained, there were hundreds of thousands of horror stories of women in cars with strange men.
On the contrary, Heather had already ridden with Nash at one point and she emerged uncompromised. That was a ten-minute drive, however, not an hours-long journey. Heather bit her lip as the tension balled her stomach onto a knot. She certainly could not remain here on her own. Conditionally, their father was going to maim them once he learned of this defiant rendezvous.
"Look, you got time to fret the whole way there, but right now, I need you in this van, little lady," Nash told her firmly.
"Heather, get in the damn van. Come on!" she heard her sister bark at her.
As it was clear there was no other alternative, Heather sucked in a breath and painstakingly made her way towards the van. Reluctantly, she climbed inside. She fastened her seatbelt and clutched the plaid backpack she always carried to the front of her body like it was a string of prayer beads meant to save her soul from damnation.
Kevin frowned. He knew he couldn't expect her to be completely at ease with them, but her reaction almost conveyed a sense of abhorrence. Perhaps it was the crippling terror of her father discovering their agenda. He had to admit while he wasn't frightened of Mark, that confrontation would not be pretty. Not like the girl beside him. He took in her petite and slender frame, huddled into itself. Trying to see her face, her dark locks created an impenetrable curtain over her lovely features. No matter. He could imagine the blush spread across her youthful visage, too lovely for words. You fucking sicko, he reprimanded himself as he shook the thoughts from his mind. He put the vehicle in gear and began the long trek that was probably more trouble than it was worth.
They had been on the road for a good hour and a half when Kevin had noticed that their companions in the back had fallen asleep. Looking in the rearview mirror, he could make out Reves's form laying across the seat with her head in Scott's lap. Scott stretched out as best he could with his head leaning against the window.
He had to admit, despite the disdain he felt towards the young blonde woman, it was almost damn precious somehow. He shook his head after smirking to himself. That was not the type of light he'd assumed he'd ever look at those two in.
That left the little one who was seemingly wide awake as his only company. The entire ride so far, she had scarcely moved a muscle as if he were some sort of predator stalking its prey and the slightest hint of movement would give her away.
Kevin looked at the clock on the dashboard. "We still have a couple hours. Why don't you try and get some sleep?" he suggested glancing at her stone-faced expression.
"I-I'm not tired. Thank you…" she muttered without some much as glancing at him. On the contrary, she was exhausted, but her apprehension wouldn't allow her to rest.
Kevin shrugged and brought his attention back to the road. Those had been the only words she had spoken since she had gotten in the van. Part of him wanted to carry on a conversation, but for the life of him, he didn't know what to say. A rare phenomenon, but just her presence was leaving him speechless and he didn't want to have to focus on her any more than necessary.
Heather, in her own strife, was feeling listless and needed a means to occupy her thoughts from the fact that she was virtually alone with this man who always seemed to stir up a number of alien sensations within her. Opening her bag, she retrieved a book as well as a flashlight. She turned on the device, illuminating the pages.
Kevin hadn't taken warning of what she was doing until the nearly blinding light reflected in his eyes. Does she seriously carry a flashlight around with her at all times? He wondered to himself before bursting her bubble. "Yeah, little one, I'm gonna need you to shut that off, please. The glare makes it almost impossible for me to see to drive.," he informed her gently, yet somehow still felt like an asshole about it.
Heather gave a small gasp. "Sorry!" she immediately apologized in earnest and clicked it off. Dismayed, she stowed it away along with her book. She hung her head in mortification and dared not even peek in his direction.
"It's okay. It's just it cuts down visibility which of course is crucial especially at night."
"I should have known better than to be so careless and ignorant. I'm sorry," she mumbled another apology.
"You're fine," Nash chuckled, although her reaction was a bit worrisome to him. Why did she always feel the need to apologize so profusely? Had Mark and others beaten her down so much that she was ready to take the blame on matters that weren't all that big or even her fault?
Wanting to ease the tension he remembered what worked the last time – well for a few moments anyway. He needed something to help keep him awake at any rate and turned the radio on to a low volume. He was mindful not to disturb their slumbering companions. Kevin noticed her shoulder sag slightly and a slight grin pulled at her mouth as she recognized a familiar song, although she still refused to speak.
After several more minutes of silence, she drew in a sharp breath and the tension seemed to return to her body.
"What's wrong, little one?" he inquired, giving her a concerned glance.
"Well, I…uh…w-would it be t-too terrible an inconvenience to stop for the restroom?" she questioned sheepishly.
He gawked at her incredulous for just a brief moment which seemingly made her wince in shame. Inconvenience? He wasn't about to deny her a basic bodily function for fuck sake. While normally the sarcastic asshole would have emerged from his personality, he couldn't take that approach with her. "Of course. Whatever you need. Just let me know. And seriously, don't be afraid to ask, alright?" he told her to which she responded with a nod. "Lucky for you, the sign said there is a rest area about a mile ahead." He grinned, figuring she must have seen that sign.
Heather muttered her thanks earnestly and displayed her relief.
Once they reached the rest area Kevin pulled the van off the highway and navigated to a parking spot. Turning off the van he hopped out as the tiny girl climbed down from her seat. "W-what of the others?" she queried as she slowly stepped around the vehicle.
"Eh, let 'em sleep. We can stop again if we need to," the behemoth shrugged his large shoulders at her. They still had plenty of miles to travel and he would rather be closer to their destination than wait on everyone to do their business. He especially didn't want to wake Kid. If he decided to take a shit, they would be there at least forty minutes.
Nash led the way and they trudged through the dark to the building that housed the restroom facilities. While there were street lights in the parking lot, it was fairly dim until they reached the restrooms. On either end of the moderately sized structure, there were entrances marked for men and women.
As they approached, Kevin noticed a man standing near the wall in the center between the two entrances. He was leaning against a vending machine, smoking a cigarette, and appeared rather anxious and jittery. The men made brief eye contact and the stranger nodded his head and took a drag on his cigarette as Kevin stopped to watch Heather scurry into the lady's room.
Poor bastard, Nash thought, chuckling to himself as he made his way into the men's room. He was probably stuck waiting on some female. They always had to take forever for some ungodly reason. He shook his head, hoping Heather actually wouldn't be too long. He did want to get back on the road as soon as possible.
Kevin completed his business quickly and proceeded to wash his hands. Just as he had finished drying them, an earth-shattering scream rang throughout the vicinity that caused his blood to run ice-cold in his veins. He stood stock-still but his eyes flickered to his reflection in the mirror as if to convince himself that he had surely imagined such a terrifying howl. No, that wasn't what he thought it was. Especially not her. No one would dare bring harm to that lovely creature. Yet, the horrific shriek came again, followed by the desperate plea of his name on her lips, a cry for help.
I actually didn't intend for this to be a cliffhanger. I just got carried away with the back and forth from everyone, as I often do. I think it works out nicely though. As I said, I'm trying to get back into it, so hopefully, the next update will be soon-ish. Thanks!