Mick went over to Kane before he left with a rather large bag with him. "I got it all planned� okay?" Mick said. Kane nodded and they were off in the hearse to the Mardi Gras Palace in the heart of Des Moines. Lucas was in a rather foul mood.
"I still think this is insane� Halloween doesn't come for another month and a half." Lucas quipped.
"Awwwww� have a little fun, Luke!" Mick said in his Mankind voice. "I can lend you George to keep you company!"

Mick, then, got out his pet rat George (the XVIII) and offered it to Lucas as he was driving. Kane grinned under his mask at the grimace Lucas made as he parked in the packed parking lot of the Mardi Gras Palace. "No? Okay�" Mick said as he pocketed George in a separate box. They entered the Palace and Mick had his bag with him. Everyone was in costumes, both wild and bizzare. There was a bar and a dancefloor that was really crowded. The tables were large and there was a salad bar line the size of a Disneyland ride line. There were a few pool tables, arcades, dart boards, and air hockey as well. They were seated and the waiter came in dressed in an exotic outfit and a mask. Kane, Lucas, and Mick all had steak with a salad bar� Paul's� was a fairly larger order with 3 sides and a salad bar order. As the quartet broke for the salad bar, Kane and Mankind headed for the men's room.

Stacy arrived at the Palace on time in a princess gown and a mask. Her hair was french braided down her back. She got a seat near the dancefloor and waited for Kane. Mick snickered as he watched Kane change. "I thought it suited you better than a dumb opera singer, don't you think Kane?" Mick remarked.
"Yes�" Replied Kane "Very� much."
His outfit was a dragon suit with sequined scales and a leather mask of perfection. It even had wings and a tail! Kane posed in front of the mirror awhile and Mick snickered with delight.
"Where� did you� get this?" Kane asked.
"I found it in the old costume room in the basement!" Said Mick. "It's very cozy in there when the boiler room is too hot in the summer."
Kane cocked his head inquisitively at Mick.
"Come on, Kane! Let's go meet her! If Uncle Paul and Lucas get suspicious, we'll change back into the opera outfit and join them again!" Mick remarked as he and Kane went to look for Stacy's table.

Stacy waited patiently and she was not hard to find. Once Kane saw her, he stopped dead in his tracks. He gazed upon her and started moving back. Her beauty was too much for him.
"What are you doing, Kane, talk to her!" Mick demanded.
"I� I�" Kane stammered.
Stacy saw Kane and smiled as she walked to him. Kane shivered a moment and grabbed Mick's arm. Stacy looked Mick over a moment with her eyebrow raised. "Who are you today, Mr. Foley?" asked Stacy
"Mankind, fair maiden!" Mick said as he grinned, showing his missing teeth. "�and here's your prince charming!!!"

Kane did not budge to meet Stacy� he was still astounded by her beauty. Stacy giggled at the prince charming remark. Mick shoved Kane in front of Stacy as she took his hand to shake hers. "I'm glad I could meet you! You pick a fine choice in restaurant, I must say." Stacy said.
"But� I�"
Kane could not finish what he was saying before Mick interjected.
"Yeah! He even brought his father along!" Mick stated "I have to go, now� HAVE A NICE DAY!"
Kane grabbed Mick's arm. "You� leave me?" Kane asked.
Mick whispered into his ear. "Who else is going to distract Uncle Paul and Luke Skywalker? I'll find you if they get suspcious so you can change quickly."

With that, Mick left Stacy and Kane to talk. Kane slowly made his way to the table and sat down with Stacy� beautiful Stacy right across from him. This was truly paradise for Kane, yet his tongue was dumbfounded. "Mick has told me so much about you." Said Stacy rather cooly. "I hear you were the champion for a little while in both singles and tag action." All Kane could say was�
"�Yes�"
Kane stared at her lovely body� her long, silken dress, her lovely hair. He was terribly angered that she was wearing a mask to hide her face. At least her eyes� those blessed eye were not hidden from him. He looked mighty fine himself in his red dragon outfit, but it was irrelevant. All that mattered in the world was her.
"So� how has life been treating you in the long run?" Stacy asked.
"Well� it�was�rather�harsh." Kane replied.
"I would imagine so." Stacy remarked. "You are such an intriguing man. What is it that fuels your rage so much?"
"Fire�" Kane replied. "Flames of� hatred� destruction� and pain� but at the same time� life."
"Interesting� I know something that would fit you perfectly." Said Stacy. "�In your portrait, of course. They thought you were dead, but you are not� you are full of life and wrath."
"�Yes�" replied Kane.
"Talkative as ever" Stacy said as she smiled. "Do you have little to say, or does it hurt to talk?"
"�Both�" replied Kane.
"So sorry, Kane" said Stacy. "Maybe you need to get your mind off of all the fire."
"How? �" Asked Kane.

Stacy smiled. Kane loved it when she smiled. She looked radiant, especially in her long gown and mask. Was this a dream? He hoped that he would never awaken again and return to the hell that was there.
"Would you like to dance?" Stacy asked "I love the song they're playing now!"
~DANCE!?!~ Kane thought ~I never danced before�I'd hurt her� I'd- ~
"Well?" Stacy asked again.
Kane was silent for a few moments as he bowed his head in thought. He remembered what Mick said earlier. He never danced a step in his life, but he was a quick learner.
"� Yes�" Kane replied.
Kane stood up from his chair and offered a hand to Stacy like the princes in the books his "father" read to him to put him to sleep when he was a child. That was� before Lucas was born. Stacy smiled at Kane as he led her to the dancefloor. Mick watched from the table, distracting Paul and Lucas at the same time. Kane was very hesitant.
"Now, I admit, I'm not the best dancer in the world." Stacy professed. "I� never� danced� teach me." Kane asked.
"Well basically when my foot moves forward, yours goes back." Stacy replied.
"That's about all I know."

Kane watched his footing well, doing his damnedest not to step on her feet. The dance was slow as the music was beautiful. It wasn't as lovely as Stacy, in Kane's eyes. There was nothing as beautiful as she was right now. Kane soon forgot to concentrate on his feet and concentrated on the flow of the music. His heart was pounding like a race horse. Nothing� NOTHING was going to break this moment for Kane� not Lucas, not Paul� not even Mick. This was his moment. It hit the climax when Stacy rested her head on Kane's chest and smiled. She enjoyed the moment as well. She never met a man quite like Kane. He was simple, yet had a certain child-like charm to him. She wanted to know more. Kane would have been glad to oblige� if the tears he was shedding at that moment were not hurting his voicebox.

Chapter 7

"� And I got THIS one from the 1992 fight in Japan with Terry Funk!" Mick exclaimed as he showed Lucas and Bearer a necklace of teeth. "Of course I'm not sure if this is his or mine�"
Lucas was growing impatient with Mick, feeling that something was up� Kane had been gone for over 15 minutes. Paul, too, was getting suspicious. Paul finished his 3rd plate full of crab legs before inquiring about it.
"Where IS Kane, anyway� he's almost never gone this long." Paul snapped.
< Mick darted his eyes back and forth, thinking how he could tear Kane away from Stacy long enough to ease Paul's worry. Kane and Stacy still danced on the floor, if he went to them, they would be caught and they would all get in hot water. Mick had a sappy grin as a demented plan began to form in his brain.

"I'll go check on him!" Mick exclaimed "Don't you worry, Uncle Paul� I'll find him!"
With that, Mick ran off into the men's bathroom and got the costume bag from the corner. Kane's phantom costume was inside. Mick quickly put it on (It being much too big for him, but he put it on anyway�) and looked in the mirror. He did a few poses, looking as inconspicuous as possible as he darted to the dancefloor to where Kane was, almost tripping up on the cape. Kane cocked his head not quite recognizing him until he approached. Stacy looked at him with her eyebrow raised, wondering what happened.
"Kaaaaaaane� we have a small problem�" Mick stated.
"What�" Kane inquired.
"Uncle Paul is getting a bit antsy� You've been gone too long." Mick replied.
"Oh dear. Are you supposed to be here?" Stacy asked.
Kane bowed his head and didn't reply. Stacy sort of smiled and shook her head. "I'm sorry� did I get you in trouble?" Stacy asked
"Not technically, Stacy� but don't you two worry. I've got an idea." Mick replied as he whispered in Kane's ear.

About 5 minutes later�

"Kane! Where have you been!?! Where's Mankind?" Paul screeched "And� who IS that with you?"
Kane stood in his phantom costume with a tall man in a red dragon costume. His legs were a bit lumpy, but otherwise he seemed like a normal human.
"I'm a big fan of yours, Mr Bearer." Said the man, his voice muffled. "You're not only the best manager, but the greatest role model!"
Paul Bearer turned his head in modesty.
"It's about time someone honored my genius! Where are you from?" Inquired Bearer.
Lucas looked the man in red up and down.
"Yes� where ARE you from?" Lucas asked.
"New Mexico, originally." Replied the man in red "I come here every now and then to vent from my job here."
"Well, your most welcome with us, my friend! Take a seat!" Paul implored.
"Actually, I was talking with Mankind� and we're going to hang out with your son, if we may� sort of showing off. I had to ask you, of course."
"Well, I can see he is in fine, fine company Mr�" Paul paused as if waiting for a reply.
"Please! Call me Jack!" the man said.
"Go on, then, Jack! Have fun! You too, Kane. This will get your mind off that hussy!" Bearer said as he went to the bar for forths.

Lucas was about to follow him, when he looked the man up and down, looking at his puffy legs. He looked back at his eyes. "Jack, eh?" Lucas replied "With your size, you could be a pro wrestler yourself, you know."
The man in the red dragon suit paused a moment�
"Nah� I like my farmwork better, thanks." He replied.
"Heh�" Lucas huffed before following his father.
The two went to the back of the bar and met with Stacy outside the bathrooms. She was smiling broadly. "So how did it go, Mick?" Stacy asked.
Mick took off the huge dragon mask and shook his hair out. "I don't know how you can wear this thing, Kane!" Mick replied "It went like a charm, you have the whole night to yourselves! I'll switch off costumes again, so Uncle Paul thinks that I'm Kane in the phantom costume. Kane stays in the dragon costume and when he comes to pick Kane up I'll get Kane to go back to the phantom costume and nobody will ever know!"
"Thank you� friend." Kane said, his voicebox tremoring.
"No problem, my main cat!" Mick replied "Now� help me get these stupid towels from my legs, they're killing me!

Chapter 8

The stars were beautiful that night. Kane and Stacy went to the outdoor patio attached to the Mardi Gras Palace. They sat at a bench together in their costumes, enjoying the starlit sky. Kane was nervous, yet� exited to have such time with her. She herself was nervous. He towered over her, yet she felt so� safe with him around. To her he was a gentle giant, looking for a real friend. To him, she was an angel sent by God to be his companion.

~I must be gentle�~ he thought ~ She seems so� fragile. Like china~
~He's artistically a masterpiece�~ she thought ~Darkness, but not evil. Almost like that beautiful sky up there~
Kane was dumbfounded at the whole thing, not being able to say a word. She said nothing either, just enjoying her time with him in silence. She never pictured a man in wrestling would be such excellent company. Then� it happened. Kane felt something on his right hand� her left. Kane was almost shivering� a woman? Touching HIS hand? Last time that happened was the last time he was with his mother at the park so many years ago.

He was almost overcome with joy. He just looked at her and smiled broadly under his dragon mask. She blushed and turned her head demurely. She smiled softly, making her complexion very lovely under her smaller mask. "I'm sorry� It's just that�" Stacy stammered "I think you are a very special man." Stacy turned back again, blushed and giggled. "I'm sorry�" Stacy stammered "Oh gawd, I� I must be acting like an idiot."
Kane tilted his head to the side and smiled impishly under his mask. The hair that drifted over his eyes almost made him look adorable. "No�"
Stacy turned back to Kane and tilted her head to the other side, her braid falling over her shoulder.
"You really think?" Stacy replied "I'm usually not this shy, but you� I never met a man like you. You� you have such an aura about you. You don't brag, you're not disrespectful, you don't think below your stomach� you are who you are, and I love that."
~First and second yes�~ Thought Kane ~Third� debatable� fourth I wish I wasn't. Still� did she say that she� loved me? Love ME?~

Kane just looked into her eyes. They were like the very stars that stood in the sky to him. Especially when she was happy, they seemed to twinkle with an unmistakable light that seemed to radiate from her pure heart. Stacy never noticed Kane like this until now. She loved what he was, no matter how grotesque the outside may be. She loved his very soul, which had a childlike nature despite his destructive power in the ring. In a way, she saw his power in the ring almost like a boy having a temper tantrum. The way he moved, spoke and acted. It was pure� just a little wounded. Stacy then leaned on Kane's shoulder, placing her head on his powerful arm. She closed her eyes and relaxed as she rested. Kane's heart melted� He never realised how much he loved her until that moment. Knowing that through this woman that there is someone who loves what he is, he had found a sort of�peace�

Mick didn't have the heart to bother them now� he just stood and watched for a few moments as they sat there in peaceful silence. Kane saw Mick, however, and nodded to him. "I� must go."
Stacy looked up at Kane with those saintly eyes of hers. They almost pleaded with him not to go, but she knew that he had to. She stood up as did Kane, their hands still together.
"I hope we can finish this time together sometime." Stacy said.
Kane nodded solemnly. "As do I�"
"I should have that portrait done by tomorrow." Stacy stated rather happily "Perhaps your father may like to see it?"
Kane thought about this for a moment and nodded.
"Dang� I wish I coulda thought of that�" Mankind said "I'll tell Uncle Paul that you have a buisness arrangement with him and need to see him anyway."
"That would be great, Mick, thank you." Stacy said "Well� I have to get up early tomorrow. I have some work. Thank you SO much for this evening, Kane."
And with that, she took a small hop and kissed Kane's cheek. Kane was like a stone statue, stunned in place.
"Goodbye!" Stacy said as she walked back to her car. Mick laughed a little at Kane, unmoving, eyes wide. He stood there for about 2 minutes. He dropped back on the bench, where he and Stacy sat, in ecstacy, holding his masked cheek.

Chapter 9

"A portrait?!?" Exclaimed Bearer.
"Yeah, she works for the magazine and is going to have it shown there." Mick replied.
They were in the bus again. The next stop was Oklahoma city and the ride was a long one. Lucas was dozing in the back as Kane stared into the landscape outside the window. Mick sat next to Paul trying to cook up another plot to get Kane and Stacy together. "Mankind, I don't know about this�" Paul croaked "Kane gets irritable around Stacy."
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Mick said.

Paul fixed his tie with a worried look on his face. He gazed to Kane, trying to read his expression. "So, Kane� would you like to have your portrait done by Ms. Dazzle?" Asked Paul. Kane's heart skipped a beat� Paul was going to let him see Stacy! He looked at Paul as calmly as he could and nodded firmly. Paul sighed. "Well� alright." Paul said with a worried look "But after your finished, come STRAIGHT back. I would go with you myself, but I have some buisness with Mr. McMahon. That's the only reason I'm letting you go alone."
~What angels have blessed me this day? ~� Thought Kane.
"Don't worry, Uncle Paul, he'll be okay." Assured Mick "I've been with him long enough."

Kane leaned back in his chair, relaxed. He looked out into the horizon, watching the hills and distant valleys of the Midwest. He envisioned Stacy's face in the landscape, drifting to sleep. He had gotten up early to get on the bus. Within moments he drifted to sleep.

��..

It was beautiful. The most beautiful sight he had ever seen. It was a garden at sunrise. He was dressed finely for the occation in his dark vermillion tuxedo with a red metal mask over only his right side. The fountain gushed clear and crystal water and the flowers were in bloom. They were mostly roses, red white and pink. The sky matched the flowers perfectly with shades of purple upon the clouds. The trees had cherries and apples and offered excellent shade. It was then, she arrived�

She was perfect. She walked down the cobblestoned road that came from a gazebo nearby. Her gown was pearl with pink and red ribbons. There were roses in her long, firey hair with a pink ribbon braided among it. She wore pearls on her neck and earrings. Her long gloves matched her gown and showed ribbons on the end. She laughed and ran to him, giving a warm embrace.

The birds chirped a happy song as Kane lifted Stacy up and circled around with her, giving a laugh himself. They were both laughing, the moment seemingly going in slow motion. He stopped twirling her and held her again she slowly pulled back and gave him a sheepish grin before giggling and bopping him on the shoulder before running away. Kane quickly gave chase, going through a garden maze which was full of roses. His height gave him a distinct advantage as he stepped up on a nearby statue to look for her. He smiled and wound around the maze, catching her as she ran into his arms.

He was about ready to kiss her when�

���..

"DAMN COW!!!" The driver screamed as the bus took a sharp turn, making Kane fall from his seat on to the floor with a resounding THUD. Kane shook his head as he rubbed it, seeing that he wasn't the only one who got flipped. Many of the other wrestlers did as well� right on top of Lucas. He was kicking and screaming as Mark Henry squashed him underneath his massive frame. Kane wasn't sure which he like better� the dream or this twist of reality.

Chapter 10

After settling down in his room, Kane sighed and kicked up his feet on the bed. He yawned sleepily before there was a knock on the door. With a slight tinge of muted grumbling, Kane got up and lumbered to the door. Stacy was at the door. "Oh good!" Stacy said. "I finally found you! Would you like to come to my studio so I can work on the painting? I work much better over there, plus I'd like you to meet my brother." Kane nodded and got himself ready, putting on a jacket and getting a worn wallet from the dresser. He was still a bit groggy, but he stretched and opened his yap again for a yawn under his mask. Stacy smiled and led him to her car� it was an 89' Sundance, but it was in a good condition. Kane tilted his head at the car and tried to get in� for Kane it was like getting into a shoebox. The car wasn't built for 7 foot men and he hit his head hard on the top as he got in the backseat. "Ick� okay� um�" Stacy said, a bit worried "Uhm� how well can you scrunch?" Kane looked at her� two-thirds of his body was still outside the car. He bowed his head thinking of how to do this and went deeper into the car. He reached the other door and his legs were STILL outside the door. He bended them in and was BARELY crammed in there, his body in fetal position. Stacy was giggling as Kane threw her a dirty look. "Small car�" Kane stated "It fits me fine� I'm sorry." Stacy said, half giggling. "You okay back there?" Kane gave a muted sigh and nodded. Stacy buckled her seatbelt and started the car, Kane very uncomfortable in his awkward position.

After a few minutes, Kane drifted to sleep in the car, still worn from the bus ride. The ride was a little bumpy, so he didn't have a deep one, but it rested his body some. When they finally arrived, Stacy stopped the car at an old building, opening both the back doors. "Um� which side would you like to get out at?" Stacy asked politely. Kane tilted his head in both directions and decided to go out feet first. He squirmed himself slowly out of the car and came out on his feet. He stretched, trying to loosen the cramped muscles he had. Stacy gave a small chuckle and patted his shoulder. "Sorry, Kane." Stacy apologised. "I know it's tiny, but it's all I really have for transportation. Come on inside! Nick is probably in his shop at the ground floor." With that Kane followed her into the large building. Upon enetering he heard a big clanking sound next door. From the window, there was a man working on a car engine. He was fairly rugged and good looking as he worked, even though his face was covered in dirt and oil. He wore a tank and a pair of blue jeans. "Hey, Nick!" shouted Stacy "Sis! Long time no see!" he replied, his head still buried in the engine.

Nick finally put his head up and looked at Kane, recognizing him in an instant with his mask. "HOLY SH-" Nick said before banging his head on the car hood "Owwwwwwww� Damnit!" Kane tilted his head at Nick as Stacy laughed. Nick quickly came from his workplace and gawked at the massive Kane. "Hotdamn! He's even bigger in person!" Nick exclaimed "The guys at the shop aren't gonna believe this! My sister with a WWF superstar!?!"
"I told you I would be doing work for the magazine." Stacy said. "I never thought you'd actually get to MEET them, though!" Nick said as he put a hand out to Kane. "Nick Kirk, at your service! Welcome to my humble castle!" Kane smiled under his mask and shook Nick's hand, rather pleased to meet Stacy's brother. He tilted his head at him. "I� am pleased� to meet you�" Kane stated "Is my studio still up on the top?" Stacy inquired. "Just like you left it, sis!" Nick replied "You're gonna paint Kane?"
"Yep." Stacy said "Awwww, man!" Nick Exclaimed "Brother, you and I are going out on the town after she's done! I'm gonna show you ALL the sights, all the bars, all the women� I gotta bring a few of my friends along, too! They'll never believe it!" Kane tilted his head to the other side at the concept. He had never had a "night on the town" before, even though he sometimes went places with his father. Kane nodded at the idea and Nick clapped his hands together. "YES!" Nick said "I'm gonna call ALL my buds. We're gonna treat you right, my friend!" With that Nick left with Stacy shaking her head at him. She laughed a little before motioning Kane to follow her. "C'mon, Kane, we got some work to do." Stacy said as she smiled. Kane followed her, then arrived at a large room with numerous paintings on the wall and other "artsy" stuff like pottery and landscaping. There were two couches nearby and an easel in the background.

Stacy motioned for him to sit. He sat on the comfortable couch, reclining and liking the leather. Stacy sat in the other one with a large sketchpad and started to draw. Stacy smiled, looking up at Kane then back at the sketchpad. Kane quickly sat straight up and tried to pose. "Oh, don't worry about it." Stacy said smiling. "I just need a basic outlook of the body, then do the rest from scratch. Go on and relax." Kane soon lounged back into the comfy couch as she sketched on. She smiled as she looked at Kane and back to the sketchpad. After about 15 minutes of silence, she finally began to talk. "This is going to be a great portrait�" Stacy said. "�I can already tell." Kane smiled under his mask, wondering what the portrait would look like. He tilted his head and looked at the ceiling, thinking of how lovely her place was compared to his. It wasn't a mansion, but it was quaint for him. He sat there, wondering about who up there liked him so much as to bring him this lovely artist. "Okay! Finished!" Stacy said. "�With the preliminary sketch, that is. The painting itself may take a day or two. Thanks!" Kane was stunned that she was finished so fast. He sat up and looked over her shoulder, tilting his head� it was him!� but there was fire in the background in the shape of a bird. He didn't get the reference of the firey bird, but it was rather lovely. He nodded his head approvingly. "I'm glad you like it, too!" Stacy said as she smiled.

Nick came up to the studio with his leather jacket on. He was cleaned up somewhat and all smiles as a few of his friends were behind him. "Hey, sis!" Nick said happily "�mind if we kidnap your subject for a little while? We have a few places to go!" Stacy looked at him a bit dissaprovingly� "As long as you stay out of trouble, okay?" Stacy warned "I have to get started on the portrait or my boss will kill me, kay?"
"Don't worry!" Nick reassured "He'll be back in one piece!" Kane tilted his head at the group and smiled� they seemed okay to him. Kane put on his own jacket and waved goodbye to Stacy. "Be careful, Kane, okay?" Said Stacy "Nick can get a little wild sometimes�" Kane wondered about her warning, but nodded his head anyway. Nick patted him on the back and they ushered him out of Stacy's home� for a night he wouldn't soon forget.

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