Chapter Eleven

July 29th, 2006

Chloe's POV

Have I ever eluded to how annoying this man can be sometimes? Because he can be. And now is one of those times.

" Come on babe Nat is in town for three days. You can meet up with her later. " He nags while holding me in his arms as if he's never letting me go.

Shawn wants me to go to bible study with him. I want to get brunch with Nattie and Elizabeth. " Shawn, I love you and you know I usually go wherever you do... But going to bible study three times a week is a bit excessive for me. "

He looks like I really insulted him. That's the opposite of what I want. I pull back from him and plant kisses all over his face. " Babe, it's fine if that's what you need. I just think we need to find me a happy medium with this stuff. "

" You're right I'm sorry, Chlo. " He says finally understanding.

I rest my forehead against his. " I love you Sexy Boy. "

" I love you too Hot Mama. " He says bringing up my first wrestling persona.

Rolling my eyes I kiss his lips and head for the bathroom to get ready. I take a shower and blow-dry my hair until it's damp. I then bring out my curling iron for the rest before I get dressed.

Just as I'm finishing there's a knock on the door. " Babe? Bret is calling. "

Hearing his ringtone I open the door and take it from Shawn before Bret hangs up. Lord knows Shawn could have answered but God forbid he talk to the man he screwed over nine years ago.

" Thanks. " I say giving him attitude before answering. " Hey, Bret how are ya? "

Good Chlo, very good actually. Arlette is a beast out there. She should be ready for a dark match by the time she's legal to compete.

" I mean, did you expect anything less from an Andri? " I ask highly proud of my baby sister.

Maybe I thought you were just a fluke. Maybe it skips siblings sometimes.

Smacking my lips I say, " it didn't skip you and Owen. "

Too true Chlo. Too true.

" I miss him... Owen I mean. " I say starting to feel a little down

Yeah me too. We all do. Hell, I can remember the day he brought you home like a stray. But you became another sister.

Of course, I'm not actually a Hart by blood, but he's right. " I know I've said this before, but I really appreciate being brought in and treated just like anyone else. You all set me out into the world with the skills I needed to survive. "

Picture me at sixteen, living on the streets, and fighting just to have a safe place to sleep. Foster care isn't for everyone and by that time I didn't trust anyone especially men. Men were like the devil back then.

That is until Owen found me fighting off two dudes who were harassing me in the parking lot of a truck stop. The men thought I was a hooker and when I told them no they tried to forcefully take me back to their truck.

By the time I was done one guy had two missing teeth from me kicking him in the face, and the other's nose was flattened by my fist. rOwen, who was passing by on his way back to Canada from Rochester New York, saw the whole thing and pulled into the truck stop.

Flashback

My fist is red and swelling by the minute as the two assholes that tried me lay on the ground groaning in pain. Headlights illuminate my face before being turned off. Suddenly a big man gets out of the huge truck and looks directly at me.

FIght or flight sets in and there's no way I can think of taking him on. Just as I'm about to make a run for it, he puts his hands up.

" Don't run. I'm not going to hurt you. " The untrusting look I give makes him laugh. " That was some show I was getting. Where'd you learn to fight like that? "

Like I'm really going to tell him anything. " Around... "

" Well after what you just did I think you'd want to get out of here before someone comes and sees these two. " He says kicking one of the guy's legs and it twitches.

I only nod because he's right.

" I could give you a ride... " He offers slowly.

I shake my head furiously while backing up ready to run.

He holds his hands up. " Wait! I told you I'm not going to hurt you. Where do you live? "

Where do I live? When was the last time I actually had a place to call home?

He takes a good look at my tattered clothes before asking, " do you have anywhere to go "?

The look on my face tells him what he needs to know. " How old are you? "

" Sixteen. " I'm lying, I still have five months until my birthday.

He sighs. " Sixteen is pretty young to not have anyone. Are you hungry? "

I want to scream, ' of course, I'm hungry you see my skin and bones! ' Instead, I shrug slightly and look at the ground.

" Wait I have an idea. " He says going back to his truck.

I eye him warily as he comes back with something in his hand. " This is something I was going to bring to my sister for protection. " He says throwing to me.

I catch it and eye the weird-looking thing.

" It's pepper spray. " He tries to explain. " If you're in danger you just spray it in the person's eyes and they'll be incapacitated. I promised I wouldn't hurt you but if you still don't feel safe keep it, just let me get you out of here. "

I look from him to the two guys just coming around. I definitely don't want to be here when they regain themselves. Tentatively I walk toward the blonde stranger with the spray in my hand.

" Come on. " He says opening the car door for me.

I keep my eyes on him as I take my seat and he shuts me in. I'm shaking in anticipation as to what is going to happen to me now.

Present

After brunch, we all get in the car and head to the arena. I've been zoning out all day and it looks like Nattie is finally done with my crap.

" Chloe?! " Nattie says bringing me out of my thoughts. " What is with you today? "

I can feel my face get flushed. " Sorry... I've just been thinking a lot about Owen... Bret called earlier and we got to talking about when he first brought me home. "

Liz taps my thigh. " Oh, Jesus you looked a fright when you walked through the door. "

" I love hearing old family stories. " Nattie says giddily.

I shake my head. " This isn't a family story I'll be likely to tell. Living through it was enough, Nattie. "

Liz gives her daughter a dirty look and I shake my head. " It's okay, Nattie. I know you love hearing about how we all were as adolescents... I just didn't have a very happy time before coming here. "

" I'm sorry Chloe, I didn't realize. " She says stammering.

Smiling at her through the rearview I say, " it's okay really. I'm okay and that's because your brave uncle decided to save a tortured young woman. I'd rather talk about the good things in my past. Like watching you and my sister grow up. " I say as me and Liz get teary-eyed.

Wiping at my eyes I clear my throat. " Okay, no more sad talk... I've been meaning to tell you two something big. "

" What is it?! " Nattie asks with that purely excited ants in her pants thing that I love.

Laughing I say, " you can't tell Bret... But Shawn and I are in a good place and we're trying things out. "

" Really? " Nattie squeaks and flushes bright red.

This girl has always had a crush on the old HBK since she was a little girl. She'd never admit it around her family though.

" Didn't he just get divorced? " Liz says in an accusatory tone.

Nattie's jaw goes slack. " Mom! You know Chloe isn't like that. "

This girl has my back, but I know Liz didn't mean it that way. Anvil, her husband, cheated a few times back in the day so I understand why she'd jump to that conclusion.

" It's okay Nattie I understand, " I say patting Liz's hand. " She was unfaithful and it's not just him blowing smoke. His mom caught her with some guy in their home. "

Nattie gasps loudly. " Oh wow, Shawn must have flipped. "

" That's horrible. No wonder he wanted out so bad. " Liz says finally understanding.

I nod. " And why she delayed the divorce for so long. They had an iron-clad prenuptial and she violated it. He walked away from her a free man with everything he owns intact. "

I didn't ask what reason his mom was there for, but it looks like it was a messy situation. He withdrew himself completely that's why he came back to the WWE in the first place.

She nods in agreement and for the rest of the drive, we're quiet. Thank God.

" How was bible study? " I ask the second I'm in Shawn's arms backstage.

He chuckles before saying, " it was good babe, very insightful. How was brunch? "

" Great... We ended up talking about Owen. " I say still feeling a little down.

He nods and comes to hug me. " It has been what, seven years? "

" Yeah... " I say wrapping my arms around his neck. " I guess I'm just missing him more than usual today. "

He breathes into my neck before saying, " I know how important he was to you darlin'. If it wasn't for him we'd have never met. "

" If it wasn't for him I might not be alive at all... " I say truthfully as the memory of the night we met flashes.

Flashback

" What's your name? " The man asks after a while of driving.

I should know better than to tell anything personal to a stranger, but I'm already in his truck. " Chloe... Chloe Andri. "

" I'm Owen Hart. " He says staring at me instead of the road.

A few more minutes go by when I ask, " where are you taking me? "

" Well, it's a little risky... " He says with a huge sigh. " But you're coming with me to Canada. We can handle the legalities later. "

The look on my face must tell him that I'm not comfortable with that. " Look, I don't know what led you to being without a place to go... But you're safe with me. "

For some strange reason, I believe him. Something told me back there that he wasn't a bad guy like I'm used to. Usually, men always have a reason for being nice. There's always something they want in return.

" Why are you being nice to me? " I ask wanting to make sure.

Sighing again he says, " I know what it's like to not be able to control anger. What I saw you do tonight was nothing short of amazing. I can teach you to not only control it but give you a safe place to live. How does that sound? "

Blinking a couple of times I'm fully convinced that this Owen guy is nuts. Who sees someone take down two people and think " I can fix that "?

" What are you talking about? Control what? " I ask more confused than ever.

Chuckling he says, " the fire in your spirit. Have you ever seen a wrestling match on TV? "

I shake my head.

" Oh, you're going to love it. Just watch. " He says with a shit-eating grin on his face.

Present

Owen was definitely right. I do love it. And he really did help me learn to control my anger. Just as Bret said this morning, I was brought into the Hart family as a stray... " I have no regrets. "

" Not even one? " Shawn asks with a smirk.

Pretending to think about for a moment I finally say, " nope ".

" You better say that! " He says tickling my sides ruthlessly.

I laugh loudly catching everyone's attention. " Stop Shawn! "

" Give me one good reason why I should stop. " He asks still going relentlessly.

Not being able to take it anymore I yell, " because I have to pee! Please! "

His fingers cease their movements. " Those are the magic words darlin'. "

" Yeah, yeah I'll be back. " I tell him before heading straight to the bathroom.

Author's Note: I know I've been straying from the wrestling aspect of the story but that is because I want to set a firm foundation for Shawn and Chloe's rekindled relationship. The action will be coming back so no worries. Let me know what you think!